《Unchained Desire》


 Chapter 1

    "Take the medicine!"


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    Resting in the palm of hiser outstretched hand was a white pill.


    Phoebe stepped down from her desk, her legs feeling weak as she quickly grasped onto the table before glancing at the pill in the man''s palm.


    It was birth control, she could tellknew.


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    He was extremely cautious, fearing that she would become pregnant again.


    But little did he know, she could never get pregnant again.


    She lifted her head, struggling with her emotions for a moment before saying, "I just finished my period yesterday, it''s still the safe period, can I not take the medicine?"


    Her body had special conditions, and she was allergic to many medications, especially birth control pills, which always made her stomach act upuncomfortable after taking them.


    "Not take the medicine? Phoebe, do you want to have a child with me?" In Theodore''s narrowed eyes, a dangerous gleam appeared.


    Phoebe''s hands by her side gradually clenched. He knew exactly how to hurt her. She licked her chapped lips and said, "I don''t..."


    "You''d better not defy!" Theodore suddenly took a step closer, his icy hand pressed forcefully on her lower abdomen, emitting a chilling aura. "Phoebe, remember your identity. You are not qualified to give birth to my child." Phoebe''s pupils contracted,contracted; her heart clenched tightly. She expressionlessly took the white pill and put it in her mouth.


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    They had been married for three years, and he had tormented her for three years as well.


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    No wonder he had suddenly become so furious earlier. It turns out that the invitation was sent by the Vanderbilt family.


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    Phoebe felt a sense of desolation in her heart. That incident had left an indelible mark on their hearts, one that might never fade away in this lifetime.


    "I understand," Phoebe said as she walked towards the door.


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    "Tonight, you will talk to Edward alone. Give it a shottry," he orderedsaid threateningly.


    Phoebe''s hand holding the doorknob stiffened for a moment, then she silently opened the door and went out.


    ...


    The Vanderbilt family was one of the four prestigious families in Kedora, and their full moon banquet was held in grand style.


    After leaving Kedora''s most luxurious six-star hotel, Theodore and Phoebe were greeted at the hotel entrance by Christian, the eldest son of the Vanderbilt family, and his beautiful wife, Bianca. Several guests surrounded Bianca, playfully engaging with the baby in her arms.


    Christian spotted Theodore and Phoebe immediately and warmly greeted them, "Theodore, Phoebe, you''re here! Bianca, bring Benjamin over for them to see."


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    Theodore looked at Christian''s joyful expression and found it rather glaringflagrant. His gaze then shifted to the rosy baby in Bianca''s arms, which only further unsettled him.


    A sudden darkness swept across his face.


    Sensing the change in Theodore''s mood, Phoebe hastily handed over the prepared gift, saying, "Christian, Bianca, this is our gift for Benjamin."


    "But why did you bother with a gift when you''ve already come?" Bianca playfully chided. "Christian, take a look at your sister. She''s being too polite."


    Although Phoebe was referred to as Christian''s sister, she had no blood relation to the Vanderbilt family. She had grown up under their care, and Mrs. Ziegler, Christian and Edward''s nursemaid, had treated her no differently than she was their sisterher supposed siblings. This missing content is only available on


    As soon as those words left his mouth, Theodore''s face visibly grew colder, and he sarcastically retorted, "Maybe I haven''t been feeding her properly."


    "Haha..." Christian nervously chuckled, oblivious to the fact that he had been tiptoeing around Theodore''s landmines. "Theodore, you''re quite amusing. Anyway, you two should go in go in first, we''ll join you shortly."


    With a sulky expression, Theodore walked towards the hotel, followed closely by Phoebe. She carefully observed his mood, unconsciously slowing down her pace. Whenever he was in a bad mood, it usually meant misfortune for her.


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    The smoky gray suit wrapped perfectly around his physique, highlighting his superior figure with hisits broad shoulders and long legs. A silver clip held his black tie in place, placed elegantly against his suit collar.On the pocketbag, a handkerchief was placed left behind, like a restrained and lofty gentleman. Only Phoebe knew that underneath his clothes, he had absolutely nothing to do with being a gentleman.


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    Luckily, their wedding was low-key, with only a small ceremony. Not many people knew that Phoebe was Theodore''s wife.


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    "Never mind," Mrs. Reynolds dismissed her disapproval of Phoebe''s attire. She stared at Phoebe and said, "Did you see Benjamin when you came in just now?"


    "I saw him," Phoebe replied.


    Mrs. Reynolds didn''t waste any time with small talk. She said directly, "You''ve been married for three years. During the first year, Theodore said you needed to take care of your health and that it wasn''t suitable for you to have a child. Now that three years have passed, shouldn''t you resign from your job and start preparing for pregnancy?"

 Chapter 2

    Mrs. Reynolds had always been indifferent about becoming a grandmother. None of her friends had progressed to that position, so she wasn''t in a hurry. But now that Mrs. Vanderbilt had suddenly become a grandmother, seeing her unable to contain her joy while holding Benjamin, Mrs. Reynolds felt both envious and bitter.


    She couldn''t remain indifferent anymore.


    Phoebe pursed her lips, remaining silent. She thought Theodore would come up with some excuse to brush off Mrs. Reynolds, just like he used to, but he remained quiet too. She looked up at him, the banquet hall illuminated and reflected on his handsome and sharp features. He silently stared at her, with no intention of coming to her rescue.


    "I''m talking to you. Why are you looking at Theodore?" Mrs. Reynolds grew impatient, her tone becoming sharper. "Tomorrow, go to the hospital and get a check-up. Afterwards, stay at home to prepare for pregnancy."


    "Mom," Phoebe felt bitter in her heart. Her mother and son, one urging her to give birth, the other not wanting her to. She was caught in the middle, torn between the two. "The company is very busy lately. I can''t spare the time. Let''s wait a couple of months..."


    "What are you so busy with? Can''t the company manage without you?" Mrs. Reynolds forcefully interrupted her, "Phoebe, don''t forget, we agreed to let you marry into the Reynolds family because of Theodore''s child. We don''t want the Reynolds family''s bloodline to be scattered outside."


    Phoebe certainly didn''t dare to forget. Getting pregnant before marriage had pinned her to the pillar of shame.


    Phoebe''s heart pounded in her chest as she saw Edward standing in the courtyard. The melody of Bach''s piano piece echoed through the corridor, and she hesitated to return to the banquet hall. The night enveloped the courtyard, illuminated by a radiant glow of lights. Unfortunately, someone was already there when she arrived. Just as she was about to turn away, she heard a familiar voice behind her, calling her name, "Phoebe."


    Phoebe trembled, her mind occupied with Theodore''s earlier warning. She quickened her pace, desperately trying to escape.


    She could hear hurried footsteps behind her, and suddenly a shadow flashed by her side, blocking her path. "Phoebe, is it that you can''t bear to see me?" Edward''s voice rang out.


    Phoebe looked up to find herself locked in a pair of reddened eyes, filled with pain and disappointment. Her heart clenched, overwhelmed with a suffocating sadness. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Edward, we shouldn''t be meeting like this," she said. Phoebe and Edward were childhood friends, with Edward being half a month older than her. After Mrs. Vanderbilt gave birth to Edward, her health deteriorated, and she couldn''t afford to nurse him herself. Therefore, they reluctantly separated.


    Later, when Mrs. Ziegler gave birth to Phoebe, she ate very little, so Mrs. Vanderbilt brought Edward over to be nursed by Mrs. Ziegler. It was perhaps due to this unique intimacy that their relationship had always been special. Until that unfortunate incident occurred...


    The corridor was dimly lit, casting a luminous glow on Edward''s gaze as he watched her, his eyes burning with intensity. He grabbed her wrist eagerly. "Phoebe, don''t go, I... I miss you so much."


    Earlier in the banquet hall, he saw her with the Reynolds family from afar. He could tell that Theodore wasn''t treating her well. He regretted his decision to let her go three years ago when she needed him the most. "Edward, you''ve had too much to drink." Phoebe forcefully pulled her wrist from his grasp, sidestepping him as she continued on her way.


    "Phoebe!" Edward stood behind her, pained, and said, "I know you''re not happy at all. You used to smile a lot, but tonight I haven''t seen you smile once. You don''t have to pretend everything is fine in front of me!" Phoebe stiffened, unable to speak, and then she saw a tall and elegant figure slowly walking into the light from the shadows.


    As the light and shadow shifted, the person''s features appeared cold and sharp, like a demon from hell.


    "Oh?" Theodore stood next to Phoebe, his arm forcefully wrapped around her waist, pulling her into his embrace. He turned to face Edward and said, "It seems that Mr. Vanderbilt is more concerned about her happiness than her own husband." With that, he lowered his head to look at Phoebe, his dark eyes filled with malice, and said, "Why don''t we show our affection so that he can rest assured?"


    Phoebe was terrified, her stomach convulsed in pain.


    She hadn''t forgotten Theodore''s warning to her. Now that he had caught her and Edward alone together, she didn''t know how he would punish her.


    Seeing that Theodore was about to kiss Phoebe, Edward became jealous and his eyes turned red. "Theodore, you don''t even love Phoebe, so why don''t you let her go?"


    "Who says I don''t love her?" Theodore tightened his grip on Phoebe''s waist, pressing their bodies tightly together, his tone light. "Come, my dear, let me show you how much I love and care for you every night, just like I did in the past." Phoebe''s face turned pale. She could tell the difference between the love he was referring to and the love she knew. He was trying to humiliate her.


    Edward wasn''t a fool either, and he understood naturally. Theodore deliberately humiliated Phoebe in front of him, and he couldn''t contain his anger. "Theodore, you bastard..."


    "Edward, could you please leave now?" Phoebe interrupted Edward.


    She could smell the strong scent of alcohol on Theodore''s body and knew he was in a bad mood. She was afraid that if Edward stayed here and continued to provoke him, she would be the one who would suffer in the end. "Phoebe, are you going to let him humiliate you like this?" Edward said, deeply pained. The person he treasured the most was being treated like this by another man, and he deeply regretted his actions.


    "This is our private matter as a married couple," Phoebe said, emphasizing the words "married couple".


    Like a bucket of cold water poured over him, extinguishing his burning anger, Edward stared blankly at the two figures that were tightly pressed together like conjoined twins.


    "I''m sorry, I shouldn''t have interfered." Edward stumbled away.


    There was the sound of hurried footsteps behind him, and he soon the disappeared from the view.


    Phoebe felt sad in her heart and suddenly a wave of nausea rose from her stomach. She pushed Theodore away and rushed to the trash can, vomiting.


    Theodore was taken aback for a moment, then he exploded in anger. He stared intently at Phoebe, who was still retching, and said without restraint, "How?"

 Chapter 3

    Phoebe''s stomach was in severe discomfort., Sshe hadn''t eaten for a day, and all that came out was acid, burning her throat and causing tears to uncontrollably stream down her face. She crouched next to the trash can, suddenly overwhelmed with sadness.


    How did she let her life become like this?


    Theodore was already in a terrible mood, and seeing her crouched there crying miserably, his handsome face turned even darker, with a fleeting darkness in the depths of his pupils.


    He took a step forward, grabbing her wrist forcefully, and pulled her up from the ground with dominance, saying, "Why are you crying? Did you just ignore what I said and still feel wronged?" Phoebe was already feeling miserable, and she didn''t expect him to be there mocking her as well.


    "Theodore, I hate you, can''t you just disappear out of from my sight..." Phoebe cried, her nose turning red. She was terrified of him, yet she couldn''t help but scratch back.


    A surge of anger filled Theodore''s eyes, and the moment of softness he had when he saw her cry was replaced by all of his fury.


    "Hate me? Then who do you like, Edward?" Theodore suddenly grew furious, forcefully dragging her to a secluded spot. His strength felt as if it could crush her wrist bones. "Fine, very well, today I will show you who your man truly is!" Phoebe had never seen this side of Theodore before., Iit was as if he wanted to devour her. As she watched him drag her into a secluded corner, she was horrified and chilled to the bone.


    What was he going to do?


    "What are you doing? Hel...help me!"


    As soon as her voice escaped, Theodore covered her mouth. She was petite and weak, no match for Theodore at all. She didn''t struggle much before being dragged into the corner by Theodore. With a rustling sound, her little black dress was violently torn apart by the man.


    Theodore''s normally pitch-black eyes turned a bloody red, his fierce gaze making his face particularly terrifying. In the darkness, he resembled a vengeful ghost in the depths of hell. "Phoebe, remember this, I am your man!"


    He despised betrayal more than anything., Eeven if this woman wasn''t the one he loved, but since he had used her, she was his, and he wouldn''t allow her to have any interactions with her old lover. "Ah!"


    With a burning pain in her stomach, Phoebe tightly bit her lip, afraid to make a sound, afraid to attract the guests in the banquet hall to come and watch.


    Theodore ravaged the fragile seedling like a raging firestorm.


    Phoebe curled up in the corner, wrapped in a smoke-gray suit.


    Theodore, he always showed his consideration at the most inappropriate times, which ironically contrasted with his recent violent acts.


    After a while, Phoebe slowly regained her strength and stood up, supporting her exhausted and sore body. Just as she walked out of the darkness, she saw Mrs. Ziegler approaching from the corridor. Her heart panicked, she hurriedly tried to retreat back into the corner to hide, but it was too late. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Phoebe, I''ve been looking all over for you, why did you hide here?"When Mrs. Ziegler saw her, her eyes lit up and she swiftly walked over. As she got closer, Mrs. Ziegler noticed that she was wearing a suit. Her hair was disheveled, tears stained her face, her lips were swollen and cut, and her neck bore visible marks.


    Being an experienced person, Mrs. Ziegler immediately understood what had just happened.


    Instead of worrying, she was actually delighted. "Theodore really cares about you. He can''t even hold himself back from attending a banquet. Phoebe, let me tell you, you better hold onto him tightly."


    "Oh, Mom!" Phoebe was physically and mentally exhausted. Her mother''s thinking process was always peculiar, so she didn''t expect her to notice Theodore''s violence towards her just now. At the very least, her mother shouldn''t have madke dismissive comments there. "I''m a bit tired. I''m going back insidefirst."


    Mrs. Ziegler noticed that Phoebe''s dress was torn to shreds. Thankfully, the suit was long enough to barely cover her exquisite figure. "Why is your stomach so fragile?" Phoebe couldn''t help rolling her eyes.


    "It''s been three years. If that child hadn''t miscarried, they could have been toddling around by now." Mrs. Ziegler grew angrier the more she thought about it. She reached out and slapped Phoebe hard on the back. "It''s all your fault. You can''t even keep a child. What''s the use of you?"


    Phoebe''s legs felt weak and she almost fell to the ground from her mother''s slap. She steadied herself and tears immediately streamed down her face.


    Unable to hold back her grievances any longer, she retortedsaid, "Child!, child! You keep going on about wanting a child every day. If you like children so much, go find a life for yourself!."


    "What did you just say, you bastard?" Mrs. Ziegler became infuriated. "I urged you to have a child for whose sake? The Reynolds family was willing to marry you because you were carrying their eldest grandson. But what did you do? The six- month-old fetus vanished into thin air. Theodore didn''t divorce you, which is already our Ziegler family''s good fortune, probably due to our ancestors'' accumulated virtues."


    Phoebe''s eyes turned red. It was one thing for other people to say these things, but her own mother? It wasn''t like she wanted to climb onto Theodore''s bed back then either.


    aking a deep breath, she suppressed the sourness desperately welling up inside her. "Yes, I should be grateful. I should count my blessings, serve him well, and hold onto this golden thigh."


    Finally noticing that something was off with Phoebe''s emotions, Mrs. Ziegler observed her expression. "Phoebe, did you have a fight with Theodore?"


    "What fight can we have?" Phoebe sneered in her mind. Having a fight with Theodore was like hitting an egg with a stone. He could easily crush her with violence alone.


    In his words, if she didn''t accept it, he would continue until she did.


    Mrs. Ziegler let out a sigh of relief and steered the conversation back to children. "Look how cute Benjamin is. You should hurry up and have a child with Theodore. You two are so good-looking, so the child you have will definitely be exceptionally beautiful."


    Phoebe didn''t want to hear her talk about children anymore. She turned around and headed towards the entrance of the hotel.


    "Eh, Pho,Excuse me, are you listening to me, PhoeEbe? If you want the Reynolds family to establish themselves, you must give them a grandchild..." Before Mrs. Ziegler could finish her sentence, she bumped into Phoebe''s back. Phoebe was about to go crazy from all the pressure. Mrs. Reynolds was pressuring her to have a child, and so was her mother. But why didn''t they ask Theodore if he actually wanted a child?


    She abruptly turned around, her eyes burning red as she stared at Mrs. Ziegler. "Stop pressuring me. I can''t have a child, not in this lifetime. Are you satisfied?"


    Mrs. Ziegler was taken aback by her hysterical state. Just as she was about to say something, her gaze caught sight of a man standing behind Phoebe, a man she hadn''t noticed before.


    Her face changed slightly, and she quickly approached him. "Theodore, Phoebe is just talking nonsense. Don''t take it to heart."


    Theodore''s face darkened, and he took steps towards Phoebe. With his nearly two-meter-tall stature, he exuded an overwhelming sense of oppression.


    "What did you just say? Say it again!"

 Chapter 4

    Phoebe couldn''t help but tremble. She was afraid of Theodore, a fear that had been ingrained in her since their first encounter as adults.


    It was the inauguration ceremony for the newly appointed CEO of the Reynolds Group, and Phoebe was just a rookie intern, standing at the very end of the line, watching as Theodore was surrounded by a group of people as he entered. He was dressed in a well-fitted black suit, his white shirt radiating brilliance, enhancing his mesmerizing features. He stood on stage and delivered a speech, then promptly dismissed several high-ranking officials involved in bribery. He was decisive and ruthless in his actions. After taking office, there was a major turnaroundover in the company''s top management, and during that time, the company was filled with strife and everyone feared for their own safety. For quite a while afterward, the whenever employees trembled in fear whenever he was mentioned mentioned him, they trembled in fear, calling him the "cold-faced Yama Devil"! Phoebe was also afraid.


    At this moment, his face was even more terrifyingly gloomy than when they were in the courtyard earlier. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She lowered her gaze, focusing on the impeccably pressed crease of his pants. She thought, no matter the circumstanceswhen, he was always flawless and perfect, yetwhile she was always the one in the most miserable state. "Speak!"


    The man''s deep voice carried an imposing air, causing Phoebe''s heart to tremble. She evaded his cold gaze, suddenly at a loss for words.


    During thea previous miscarriage, she had a severe hemorrhage and injured her uterus. When she went for a check-up later, the doctor told her that it would be difficult for her to conceive a child in her lifetime.


    She had planned to tell Theodore about this, but before she could even open her mouth, the enraged man forcefully took possession of her.


    Theodore stared at her intently, his deep eyes as dark as ink, making it impossible to understand his thoughts.


    Mrs. Ziegler stood by, terrified. She cautiously spoke, "Theodore, Phoebe speaks without thinking. She''s just trying to provoke me..."


    "Mother-in-law," Theodore interrupted Mrs. Ziegler firmly, "I''ll take Phoebe to the hospital for a check-up first to see if she did it on purpose. We''ll find out after the examination."


    With that, he firmly grabbed Phoebe''s wrist and pulled her towards the parking lot.


    Mrs. Ziegler had never seen Theodore angry before, and she felt uneasy. She wanted to follow them and see what was happening, but she also feared Theodore''s wrathanger.


    Although she acted tough in front of Phoebe, it was only because Phoebe was her biological daughter. When faced with a truly powerful person, she immediately turned into a quail. This was the survival strategy she had learned over the years in wealthy households.


    In her hesitation, Theodore had already dragged Phoebe far away.


    Theodore threw Phoebe into the passenger seat and drove to a private hospital. On the way, he gave Phoebe one last chance.


    "It will take another half an hour to get to the hospital. You can choose to confess and have beme lenient or resist and face the consequences."


    Phoebe glanced out the window. The night was dark, and the car window reflected her anxious face like a polished mirror.


    How should she have responded?


    When she had mentioned the miscarriage incident in the past, he had become furious. That was when she first realized how terrifying he could be when angry.


    She bit her lips tightly, remaining silent.


    Theodore clenched the steering wheel with his veins popping out on the back of his hand as time passed slowly. It was not until the hospital''s red cross appeared ahead that he knew she wouldn''t speak.


    The car turned into the hospital and came to a screeching halt.


    Theodore got out of the car, exuding a furious aura. He forcefully pulled Phoebe out of the passenger seat and grasped her chin, forcing her to look up and meet his gaze.


    "Phoebe, you know the consequences of deceiving me."


    Phoebe looked into his eyes, his deep black eyes resembling two bottomless pools that seemed to drown her. She avoided eye contact and stopped looking at him.


    Theodore chuckled at her passive resistance and took a step back, sneering, "Alright, let''s see how long you can hold out."


    He grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the hospital.


    The private hospital had all the necessary equipment, and a series of gynecological examinations were completed in just ten minutes.


    In the gynecologist''s office, Theodore sat on a chair, his noble and powerful aura adding a sense of oppressiondomination to the surroundings.


    The gynecologist cleared his throat, carefully choosing his words, "Mr. Reynolds, your wife''s previous miscarriage resulted in thinning of the endometrium, adhesion of the fallopian tube lumen, and a low progesterone index in the body due to long-term use of contraceptives. Therefore... it will be extremely difficult for her to conceive in the future. You need to be mentally prepared."


    Theodore had already guessed the general situation in the car, but he had no idea that Phoebe''s physical condition had deteriorated to this extent. And yet, she hadn''t uttered a word about it to him.


    Seeing his silence, the gynecologist paused in the air, unsure of what to say next.


    The dropping barometric pressure made her shiver with cold. She tried to speak, but heard the cold faced man in front of her ask, "When did she find out?"


    The gynecologist paused for a moment, searched Phoebe''s case on the computer, and said, "About two and a half years ago. She already knew when she came for a check-up."


    Upon hearing this, Theodore''s cold face instantly turned stormy.


    For two and a half years, she had kept it a secret from him. Every time he thought about the contraceptives he had given her during these years, he believed he had been humiliating her. But in reality, it had become a humiliation for himself. What was she thinking about him back then?


    Seeing his terrifyingly gloomy expression, the gynecologist hesitated for a moment before saying, "Furthermore, when we examined Mrs. Reynolds just now, we found that she is allergic to contraceptives."


    Theodore''s breath hitched. The gynecologist''s words were like a steel needle piercing through his throat. Under the sharp and intense pain, darkness clouded his vision, and even his breathing became difficult.

 Chapter 5

    With a loud rumble, thunder and lightning flashed outside the window, and torrential rain poured down.


    Phoebe curled up on the hospital bed, experiencing spasms in her stomach. Her eyelashes fluttered, and at this point, Theodore already knew the truth. How would he deal with her?


    Would he divorce her?


    As the word ''divorce'' slid through her mind, her stomach ached even more. In fact, it would be for the best if they did divorce. They wouldn''t need to torment each other anymore. For both of them, it would be a release.


    This marriage was a mistake from the beginning, and now it was just a matter of restoring order and returning to their original positions.


    With a bang, the hospital room door was violently kicked open. Phoebe was startled, opening her eyes to see a tall figure filled with rage storming into the room.


    At this moment, he looked like a devil with his dark and fierce eyes, giving off a terrifying and intimidating aura.


    She was extremely frightened and hurriedly scrambled off the bed. However, in her haste, she ended up rolling off the bed, wrapped in the sheets.


    With a loud thud, not only was Phoebe dumbfounded, but even Theodore was stunned.


    He stopped in his tracks, his expression darkening as he watched her desperately struggling in the sheets, her cheeks turning red from anxiety. He only just realized that she was so afraid of him.


    His heart seemed to be wrenched by the sight. He slowly walked over and stopped beside her. He leaned down to pick her up.


    But Phoebe misunderstood in her panic, thinking that he was going to hit her. She pulled the sheets over her head, trembling in fear, and her terrified voice came from beneath the sheets, "Don''t hit me." Theodore''s actions froze, finding it almost laughable.


    When did he become a scoundrel in her eyes, capable of hitting women?


    Suppressing his anger, he gently lifted her, along with the sheets, from the ground and carefully placed her on the hospital bed. He pulled a chair and sat by the bed.


    Phoebe hesitated in the sheets for a moment, and then slowly peeled back a small opening, cautiously poking her head out.


    Her appearance resembled a newly hatched chick, filled with unknown fear towards the outside world.


    Locking eyes with Theodore''s cold and intense gaze, she fearfully shrank back into the sheets.


    Phoebe couldn''t bear to look at him and lowered her eyelashes.


    Theodore let out a bitter laugh filled with self-pity. He realized that he had been blindly arrogant, thinking that she was afraid of him because of love. Now he knew that she was simply afraid of him, nothing more. A sharp pain spread from his heart to every corner of his body. Even his fingers trembled with the heartache. He reached for the cigarette box but ultimately didn''t take it out.


    "Why don''t you ever speak?"


    Phoebe gripped the corners of the blanket tightly, her ten fingers exerting force until her fingertips turned white. He had indeed found out now. Was it time to settle their accounts?


    She knew this day would come eventually, but she didn''t expect it to come so soon. Sitting up on the bed, she spoke slowly, "I wanted to say it on the day I went for the check-up, but you didn''t give me a chance." That day, just like today, was pouring rain. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She returned to the villa and the servants told her that Theodore was in the baby''s room upstairs. She went over and found the baby''s room in a mess, with the crib, rocking horse... all smashed to pieces by Theodore. Theodore sat against the wall amidst the ruins, like a male lion who had lost its cubs, desolate and sorrowful.


    She knew that he had genuinely looked forward to the arrival of this child. Even if he didn''t love her, he loved the child in her womb.


    Otherwise, he wouldn''t have married her, a lowly woman, in order to give this child a complete family.


    She stood at the door for a long time before summoning the courage to enter. Squatting in front of him, she hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I went for a follow-up at the hospital today. The results weren''t good, and it seems that in the future... When we got married, it was because of the child. Now that we''ve lost the child, if you want a divorce, I won''t oppose it."


    Some word she said seemed to have hurt him. Theodore suddenly flew into a fit of rage, pushing her to the ground. His strong body pressed down on top of her, his eyes turning red from intense hatred. "Divorce? Phoebe, what do you take me for?"


    "I don''t." To her, Theodore was an unattainable god. She respected and feared him, never daring to desecrate him.


    Theodore glared at her, his hatred deep and heavy in his eyes, as if he wanted to tear her apart alive. Suddenly, he bent down and bit her throat. "Phoebe, I really wish I could kill you!"


    The same words brought Phoebe back to reality from her memories. She couldn''t help but shiver, and then she heard Theodore continue, "You''ve made a laughingstock out of me for these past few years." Phoebe''s heart tightened, and tears fell uncontrollably. "I''m sorry."


    Theodore stared at her for a while, then suddenly found it funny and actually laughed. But his laughter held a thick sense of sadness. "I''m so noble that I need a victim like you to apologize to me." Phoebe''s heart felt like it was being stabbed by needles, and a dense pain washed over her. Her tears fell even more frantically. "I''m sorry. It was me who disrupted your life back then. If you want..." "Shut up!" Theodore suddenly interrupted her with a stern voice. "I''ve said that unless I bring it up myself, you will never have the right to mention those words."


    Phoebe raised her head in astonishment. "You..."


    Theodore looked angry and annoyed, but dismayed, he forcefully spoke up, "You know it, and if you dare let a third person know... you just try it!"


    Phoebe''s mind was filled with mixed feelings. He knew, yet he wouldn''t divorce. She couldn''t quite understand what he was thinking. "Why?"


    Theodore looked into her eyes. He remembered when he took over the Reynolds Group upon returning to the country. During that initial period, he was ruthless, and everyone feared him. Wherever he went, there was an air of lifelessness. Only she was the sole light in this earthly hell, always wearing a pure smile, with brightness in her eyes.


    But at what point did she lose that smile and brightness in her eyes?


    He leaned in, gripping her chin, his voice as venomous as a snake''s tongue as he slowly uttered, "Phoebe, you betrayed me. I want you to stay by my side for the rest of your life, to atone for your mistake." This was the sin she had to atone for, to him and to their unborn child!

 Chapter 6

    Chapter


    6


    Leaving the hospital, Phoebe sat in the passenger seat, saying nothing. She was not someone who spoke sparingly, but with Theodore, she often didn''t know what to say. It seemed that everything she said, except for work matters, was wrong.


    The cellphone rang, and Theodore answered the call. Not knowing what the other person said, he responded coolly with a faint "Hmm" before hanging up.


    Then, he turned the steering wheel, parking the car at the entrance of the overpass, and coldly said, "Take a taxi back by yourself."


    Phoebe glanced at the busy overpass and then lowered her gaze to her torn dress. "This is an overpass, and my dress is also torn."


    "So what?" Theodore''s voice remained devoid of any fluctuation, cold and heartless.


    Phoebe locked eyes with him for a few seconds, then opened the car door and got out without saying a word.


    Just as she closed the car door, the black Maybach impatiently pulled away, disappearing into the vast night within the blink of an eye.


    The night was deep, fortunately the rain wasn''t heavy as it moistened her face. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Phoebe wrapped her suit jacket tightly around herself and walked slowly along the green belt. Passing vehicles rushed by, with a mere half a meter separating her from a life and death race.


    Not long after she started walking, her phone kept vibrating in her bag. She stopped and answered the call.


    "Phoebe, have the test results come out?" Mrs. Ziegler spoke without catching her breath, "You! You really have no manners. Theodore misunderstood..."


    Impatiently, Phoebe interrupted her, "Even if I were to repeat the tests ten thousand times, the result would still be the same. I won''t be able to have my own child anymore."


    This news was undoubtedly a thunderbolt for Mrs. Ziegler. She was stunned for a moment, her voice changing, "How... How is it possible that you can no longer have children? Weren''t you pregnant before?" Phoebe looked at the cars roaring past in front of her, her eyes welling with a sourness. "I''m hanging up."


    She stood still for a while, her phone continuously vibrating in her bag. She didn''t answer and continued walking forward.


    After descending from the overpass, the luxurious business district, the International Financial Center, lay ahead.


    On the wall hung a huge LED screen, currently playing clips from the Chopin International Piano Competition.


    Phoebe stood in the center of the square, gazing up at the woman sitting in front of the piano on the big screen. She wore a red evening gown with her hair tied up, revealing her graceful neck.


    Her slender fingers glided across the keys, producing a dense and flowing melody that resounded across the empty square. The rhythm grew faster, and the emotions became more intense and unrestrained, causing the hearts of those who listened to surge along with it.


    The camera slowly zoomed in, and a familiar yet unfamiliar face appeared on the big screen.


    "It''s her," Phoebe''s heart tightened. "Vanessa!"


    Vanessa was Theodore''s first love and the goddess who had captivated countless male university students at Kedora University.


    At this moment, Vanessa in front of the camera was radiant, dressed in fiery red clothes as if about to burst into flames. Thunderous applause erupted from the audience, and her performance was a resounding success.


    Suddenly, the camera swept over to the audience seats. In the front row behind the judges'' table sat a tall, slender man. He was dressed in a suit, his gaze focused and fervently fixed on the stage.


    If that person wasn''t Theodore, then who was it?


    The rain suddenly intensified, blurring her vision, and Phoebe shivered from the cold.


    The Chopin Piano International Competition was held every five years in the capital of Poland, Warsaw. And half a month ago, Theodore had gone to Warsaw alone.


    As it turned out, he had gone to see Vanessa.


    Phoebe returned to her apartment, took a hot shower, and curled up in bed, falling into a deep sleep.


    The next day, Phoebe furrowed her brows and woke up from her slumber. She picked up her phone and glanced at the time. It was already six-thirty in the morning. Subconsciously, she reached out to push the man beside her. Her hand reached out, but it landed on empty space.


    She sat up abruptly, turned on the light, and saw that the bed next to her was neat and untouched. Only then did she realize that Theodore hadn''t come back the entire night.


    Phoebe felt uneasy. In the past three years, unless Theodore was on a business trip, he never stayed out overnight.


    Phoebe sat motionless for a while before getting up, expressionless, and went to the bathroom to freshen up. She then went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for herself. After finishing her meal, she walked to the company on foot. Just as she arrived at the company''s entrance, a black Maybach pulled up in front of her. The backseat door was pushed open, and a man stepped out expressionlessly.


    He was still wearing the outfit from yesterday''s banquet, his shirt wrinkled as if he had spent the entire night doing questionable things.


    Theodore stood at nearly two meters tall, exuding an imposing aura. Not to mention his peach-blossom eyes and thin lips, even if he had a poker face all day, he still looked like a debonair, fickle sophisticated man.


    He walked past Phoebe without even glancing at her, as if she didn''t exist at all.


    Phoebe took a deep breath and hurriedly followed behind him.


    Once they entered the CEO''s exclusive elevator, Phoebe stole a glance at his strained handsome face. "Um... It''s not that I want to bother you, but you didn''t come back last night..."


    "What''s this? Do I need to report my schedule to Ms. Ziegler now?" Theodore''s face turned slightly cold.


    Phoebe pursed her lips.


    Phoebe swallowed the second half of her sentence silently. She knew she shouldn''t have spoken out, and now she was just asking for trouble.


    Theodore became infuriated when he saw her pitiful and wronged expression. He tugged at his tie and his anger surged up within him. "Whato are you making that face for? If someone who doesn''t know better sees you, they''ll think you''re really so wrongedvictimized."


    Phoebe sighed inwardly. She already knew that when he''s unhappy, everything she does is wrong.


    "I didn''t."


    Theodore sneered. "QUEEN Entertainment Company is currently short on staff. Pack your things and report there later, you don''t need to follow me anymore."


    Phoebe''s heart shook, and she looked up at him. "You want me to go to QUEEN Entertainment Company?"


    QUEEN Entertainment Company was the entertainment kingdom that Theodore had personally built for Vanessa. After half a year of planning and preparation, it was set to officially open at the end of the month.


    Last night, when she went back, she searched for a lot of news about Vanessa and found out that she was about to return to the country. Theodore was probably moving her away at this timing to make room for his first love. "What''s wrong? Don''t want to?" Theodore leaned slightly forward. "Or maybe you want to stay by my side, waiting to be...!"


    The last word, he practically whispered it in her ear, vulgar and obscene.


    Knowing full well that he was humiliating her again, Phoebe''s heart couldn''t help but skip a beat. She bit her lip and took a step back. "Alright, I''ll go."


    Seeing that she agreed so readily, Theodore''s expression didn''t soften at all. He strode out of the elevator. Along the way, everyone greeted him politely.


    He walked off with a stern face, and only then did everyone let out a sigh of relief.


    Phoebe''s transfer order came quickly. Carol, who was also a secretary, approached her and looked at her packing. "Phoebe, why did your transfer order come so suddenly? Did you offend Mr. Reynolds?"


    Carol was one of the few who knew about Phoebe and Theodore''s relationship. In the daytime, Phoebe was the chief secretary of the Reynolds Group''s president, and at night, she was Theodore''s personal belonging. But now, he wanted to transfer Phoebe to QUEEN Entertainment Company.

 Chapter 7

    Phoebe put the neatly arranged things into a carton, which quickly filled up. She said, "The boss''s mind is unfathomable, we just need to follow orders."


    "But are you willing?" Carol asked softly.


    Phoebe paused and restrained her smile.


    Carol sympathized with her. "You''ve been with Mr. Reynolds for three years, I thought you two would have a future together. I didn''t expect him to be so heartless..."


    "Carol, be cautious with your words." Phoebe reminded her lightly, seeing that she still looked indignant. She sighed and picked up a manual, handing it to her. "These are some habits of Mr. Reynolds that I''ve recorded. Take a look for reference."


    "Be careful not to touch his sensitive spot."


    Carol eagerly took the document and flipped through it, but her face immediately fell. "Oh my, Mr. Reynolds has so many annoying habits. Phoebe, these past few years must have been really difficult for you." Phoebe patted her shoulder and picked up the box, walking out of the secretary''s office and taking the elevator to the seventeenth floor.


    Although QUEEN Entertainment is an independently operated subsidiary, their office is still located within the Reynolds Group building. Theodore had reserved an entire floor specifically for them to work in.


    She reported to the HR department and completed all the necessary procedures. The HR manager, John, then led her to her office.


    Compared to the secretary''s office, her office was noticeably smaller, but it had everything she needed. There was a desk, a sofa, and good lighting. It was said that sunlight could be enjoyed from morning till evening. Phoebe was satisfied with her new office, the only drawback being the lack of a rest area. She could only take naps on the sofa.


    "Phoebe, these documents are for the artists we are about to sign. From now on, you will be responsible for handling their contracts. Take a look at the information first." John brought over a stack of files and placed them on Phoebe''s desk.


    Aside from office supplies, there was also a shiny nameplate on the desk, engraved with the words "Director of Artists, Phoebe."


    "Thank you, it'' was no trouble," Phoebe nodded.


    John felt a bit embarrassed and couldn''t help but steal another glance at Phoebe. In the past, she was the chief secretary of the secretary''s office, always following behind Theodore. Her posture was upright and composed, like a sharp and unsheathed sword, making it difficult for people to meet her gaze.


    But after their recent interaction, he discovered that she wasn''t as cold and distant as he had imagined. She was actually quite polite to him.


    Phoebe opened the files and immediately saw Vanessa''s photo. She paused for a moment, and John chuckled after looking at it too.


    "Vanessa, she''s the biggest star we have been in contact with at the moment. Mr. Reynolds personally went to negotiate with her. There are rumors saying they used to be lovers, and Mr. Reynolds invested heavily in creating QUEEN Entertainment just to welcome his beloved back to the country."


    Phoebe''s heart suddenly tightened. "Is that so?"


    John thought she didn''t know and his eyes were filled with gossip. "Phoebe, don''t you follow Mr. Reynolds every day? It''s said that Mr. Reynolds really loves Vanessa. He has been single for so many years waiting for her. People speculate that Mr. Reynolds established QUEEN Entertainment in the Reynolds Group building to be closer and eventually get back together with Vanessa."


    Phoebe''s face turned pale. Yes, she was with Theodore every day, but these rumors naturally wouldn''t reach her ears.


    After all, everyone believed she was Theodore''s eyes and ears. Even if there were rumors, no one dared to speak of them in front of her, afraid of provoking Theo. Chapter 5: Unveiling Secrets


    John didn''t notice her expression and continued, "You know about the Chopin International Piano Competition that took place last month, right? Mr. Reynolds personally went to Poland. Reporters caught him sneaking into Vanessa''s room late at night, and he didn''t come out all night. Do you think something is going on between them?"


    "John!" Phoebe couldn''t bear to listen any longer and suddenly interrupted him. "Please leave for now, I will talk to you after I finish reading the documents."


    "Oh, okay," John saw her displeased face and regretted speaking so freely in front of her. After all, Phoebe used to be Mr. Reynolds'' former chief secretary, and naturally her loyalty lied with the boss.


    Wasn''t it a self-destructive act to gossip about their boss''s rumors in front of her?


    "Phoebe, I was just casually mentioning things, and you were just casually listening. It''s all idle talk," John tried to explain desperately.


    "Mhm." Phoebe waved her hand, and John nervously left the office. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As soon as he left, Phoebe''s feigned calmness shattered completely. She had no idea that Theodore and Vanessa''s scandal was spreading so widely in the company, even though she had been in the dark. Everyone in this building, except her, probably knew about it.


    In the past, she wouldn''t have cared. Her marriage to Theodore was originally a compromise, and it should have ended when they lost their child.


    But since last night, when she saw him at the piano competition, his devoted gaze towards Vanessa pierced her heart like a thorn.


    He had never looked at her with such deep and passionate affection before.


    There is no pain without comparison.


    She had never realized that, amidst his icy hatred towards her, he could also harbor such intense and fiery love for another woman.


    Phoebe spent the afternoon going through the documents, familiarizing herself with the artists who would soon be under her care. This was an entirely unfamiliar field for her, and it gave her a tremendous headache.


    Vanessa was Theodore''s beloved, and she couldn''t afford to neglect her. Even though she hadn''t signed a contract yet, Vanessa already received the treatment befitting the top talent at QUEEN Entertainment. As for the other trainees, they could be sent to talent shows to gain experience and make their debut.


    After dealing with all these matters that made her head spin, Phoebe looked out the window and saw that the night had completely descended. She tidied up her desk, grabbed her bag, and prepared to leave. She stood in the elevator lobby, waiting for the elevator. "Ding!" The door to the exclusive elevator for the CEO opened. She looked up and met the gaze of the man standing inside.


    The two of them silently locked eyes, and Phoebe didn''t move a muscle as the elevator door slowly closed in front of her. In an instant, the elevator doors opened again on both sides.


    Theodore''s brows furrowed tightly enough to crush a fly, and his voice was cold and deep. "Why are you just standing there instead of getting in? Do I need to invite you?"


    Phoebe remained silent for a moment. Some people had such beautifully shaped lips, yet their words were so unpleasant. She walked into the elevator and instinctively stood a step behind Theodore. Theodore turned his head, his face turning ashen as he stared at her. "What are you doing?"


    "I didn''t do anything," Phoebe said, looking confused. "I''ve been standing here before, what''s wrong with that?"


    Theodore''s jaw tightened. It used to be fine for her to stand behind him when she was his secretary, but she wasn''t anymore.


    He forcefully pulled her over and pushed her back, causing her to collide harshly with the metal wall. Before she could even let out a cry of pain, the man pressed against her forcefully.


    "You did it on purpose, didn''t you?" His breath was filled with anger. "Are you so dissatisfied with me transferring you to QUEEN Entertainment Company?"

 Chapter 8

    Phoebe winced in pain, her eyebrows furrowing. She looked at him in bewilderment. "Why would I be dissatisfied? In theory, this is considered a promotion for me. Being the Art Director has more potential than being a secretary." She was telling the truth. The annual salary of an Art Director was several times higher than that of a secretary. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Moreover, the Art Director also received a share of the profits.


    Theodore sneered and mocked, "You can see it clearly too."


    "Mr. Reynolds trusts me so much, I will work diligently and not let Mr. Reynolds down."


    Phoebe pretended not to detect the sarcasm in his words, quickly flattering him, doing her best not to touch his sensitive nerve.


    Theodore listened to her hypocritical words and let go of his grip on her hand.


    "When we return to the mansion tonight, you know what to say and what not to say, right?"


    Phoebe''s heart skipped a beat. Just the thought of returning to the mansion and facing Mrs. Reynolds'' pressure made her stomach cramp uncontrollably.


    "I know," Phoebe bit her lip. "But... wouldwouldn''t it no it be good to keep hiding this from them?"


    Theodore''s expression darkened, and suddenly, a terrifying aura emanated from him. "If you had thought of them, you wouldn''t have done such an shameless thing back then, Phoebe. Why do you think I''ve tolerated you for so many years?" Phoebe''s face turned pale,; she had never seen such ruthless hatred before.


    She knew that in his eyes, she had always been a sinner. Not only because she accidentally lost their child, but also because she brought immense humiliation to his male pride.


    If killing her wasn''t against the law, he probably would have wanted to tear her apart.


    To seek revenge on her, he endured the disgust and entangled with her for nearly three years.


    She lowered her head, forcing back the tears in her eyes, and whispered, "You don''t have to endure it. Someone like me, you can treat me like a handful of sand and throw it away, isn''t that better?"


    "Do I need you to teach me how to do things?" Theodore''s dark eyes revealed an unmistakable disgust. He leaned close to her ear and whispered like a devil.


    "Phoebe, you and him disgusted me together. How could I let you both get away with it? You''re thinking too highly of yourselves!"


    Tears welled up unexpectedly in Phoebe''s eyes, and she looked up at him. "Theodore, have you never believed intrusted me?"


    Theodore lowered his gaze faintly, his curled eyelashes hiding the deep emotions in his eyes. He stared at her slender neck, and there was a certain...


    In an instant, he really wanted to strangle her neck.


    This woman made him live as a joke.


    "I only trustbelieve in my own eyes!" he asserted decisively.


    Phoebe left felt awkwardly, feeling as if her heart had been pierced by a big holestake. If she hadn''t attended the class reunion that day, hadn''t had that drink...


    But if only ifs mattered, the deed had already been done. No matter how many times she regretted it, it wouldn''t change anything. She and Theodore could never return to their peaceful times before. "Why do you have to do this to yourself again?"


    His pale moonlight was coming back. Since he had already cleared a place by his side, why not just turn her into his ex-wife?


    Had his hatred for her surpassed his love for Vanessa?


    What did she do to deserve it? How was she able to make him, a cold-blooded demon, imprison himself by her side, just to tormenting each other?


    Theodore gripped her chin and with each word, he tore at her heart and lungs like a blunt knife, "Because you, as a scum man and an evil woman, are not worthy of happiness!"


    Phoebe sobbed, her tears falling faster.


    "Stop crying!" Theodore commanded, applying more pressure to her chin. His gaze turned as cold as a knife. "I''m not dead yet, I don''t need your mourning."


    Phoebe was frightened, her tears circling in her eyes, but she dared not let a drop fall. The man''s sinister expression filled her with fear, and she couldn''t help but hiccup.


    Theodore looked at her fear of himself in her eyes, feeling annoyed and restless. He abruptly released his grip, striding out of the elevator.


    Phoebe quickly wiped away her tears, hurrying to catch up.


    Theodore was in a terrible mood today. It was evident from the way he couldn''t go without a cigarette since he got in the car. The driver in the front occasionally glanced at the rearview mirror.


    "Young Master, smoking is harmful to your health. Smoke less, or when you return and the Madam smells it, she''ll scold you again." Old Dave, the driver, was a long-time member of the Reynolds family, and Theodore usually respected him. If it were someone else, they wouldn''t dare speak to him.


    Theodore sat in the back seat, blowing smoke, feeling greatly annoyed, especially when the person who bothered him sat next to him.


    He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Phoebe hunched by the car door, avoiding him as if he were a snake or scorpion.


    Was he really that terrifying?


    "Old Dave, it''s fine. I won''t die." Theodore said indifferently.


    "Tsk tsk, you young people don''t know what to avoid. You always bring up life and death too lightly. Young Madam, please persuade the Young Master." Old Dave couldn''t persuade him, so he involved Phoebe. Phoebe looked at Theodore fearfully and stammered, "You... You should smoke less. It''s not good for your health."


    Theodore was accustomed to doing things his own way, especially enjoying contradicting her. When Old Dave asked her to persuade him to smoke less, he was essentially forcing him to treat himself like a chimney. She thought he wouldn''t listen to her and would mock her, telling her not to meddle in his business. But she didn''t expect him to actually listen obediently, extinguishing his cigarette iagainst the In the aAshtray.


    Phoebe was perplexed and speechless.: "......"


    How terrifying!


    When did he start listening to her?


    Phoebe stared at him in a daze and suddenly saw him smile. Her heart grew even more anxious. With a cold smile on his face, he would surely bring bad luck to someone again. And that person was definitely her.


    Phoebe curled up, trembling with fear. Suddenly, she heard a cold snort from the man beside her, "We''re here, get out of the car."


    Only then did Phoebe realize that the car had already stopped at the Reynolds family''s estate. She quickly got out of the car and followed Theodore towards the villa.


    Mrs. Reynolds came out to greet them, wrinkling her nose at the strong smell of smoke on Theodore. She looked at him with disgust and said, "Why is the smell of smoke so strong?" "Just had one," Theodore said casually.


    "Didn''t I tell you to quit smoking?" Mrs. Reynolds said displeasedly. "Christian and his wife quit smoking and drinking before trying for a baby, just look at how beautiful and healthy Benjamintheir child turned out."


    Theodore couldn''t stand the name "Benjamin" and furrowed his brow, resembling a river character.expressing his annoyance. "Since you like him so much, why not adopt Benjamin?"


    "I want to, but would they allow it?" Mrs. Reynolds got angry and slapped his back hard. The sound of the crisp slap was enough to make one feel the pain. "Besides, how can other people''s grandsons be as precious as one''s own?"


    As she spoke, she looked at Phoebe who was standing behind Theodore. "I heard you went to the hospital for a checkup last night, how did it go?"


    Phoebe''s heart skipped a beat. She instinctively looked at Theodore and saw him looking at her, his gaze filled with coercion. She stammered, "It, it went fine."


    She didn''t want to lie to Mrs. Reynolds, but if she dared to tell the truth, Theodore would definitely strangle her decisively the moment they stepped out of this door.


    Mrs. Reynolds had no suspicions and said, "That''s good. Today, I asked the doctor to prescribe some medicine for you to treat infertility. You must drink it after dinner." Phoebe bit her lip. As she passed by Theodore, she instinctively glanced at him. Theodore was staring at her expressionlessly.


    His gaze had an indescribable strangeness, as if saying: Phoebe, the lie has been told, now you better enjoy the consequences of lying.

 Chapter 9

    Phoebe followed Mrs. Reynolds into the living room and saw two large bags of brewed medicines on the coffee table, causing her brow to twitch fiercely. She had always been afraid of taking medicine, especially in such large quantities.


    Mrs. Reynolds pointed at the pile of medicine and said, "The medicine has been divided into individual doses. Just take two bags with you every day, put them in your office bag, microwave them for a minute at the office during lunchtime, and drink it half an hour after meals. It''s not troublesome at all."


    Phoebe: "......"


    She didn''t know if it would be troublesome, but it would certainly be exhausting to explain.


    From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Theodore leaning.


    As Phoebe watched the commotion from the hallway, an idea struck her. "Mom, are these medicines all for me?" she asked.


    "Yes, indeed. Look at how thin you''ve become. You need to replenish yourself. Just as fertile land allows seeds to grow healthily, you must nourish your body. Stop trying to lose weight for now and eat more. I want you to have a chubby and healthy grandson," Mrs. Reynolds said.


    Phoebe blushed at her mother in law''s words, but in order to drag Theodore into the conversation as well, she suppressed her embarrassment and hinted, "Mom, I''m sure the doctor has also told you that when it comes to having a child, not only does the land need to be fertile, but the seed must also be of good quality, right?"


    Mrs. Reynolds paused for a moment, subconsciously glancing at her son. Whether it was just her perception or not, Theodore, standing in the hallway, looked increasingly weak with his fair skin and red lips.


    Could it be that Phoebe''s stomach had shown no signs of change in two years because the problem lay with her son?


    Theodore felt Mrs. Reynolds scrutinizing him suspiciously. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His mother was truly naive and easily swayed by Phoebe''s words.


    "I have no problems," Theodore said coolly.


    Mrs. Reynolds''s gaze became somewhat complicated. "With medical advancements today, hidden ailments can be cured. You don''t need to be secretive about it. If there''s an issue, seek treatment early, or else it will only worsen." Mrs. Reynolds was close to driving herself into depression. How could such a handsome and capable young man turn out to be all talk and no substance?


    Theodore found himself in a predicament, his expression full of variety. Even Phoebe was startled. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She had only been hinting to Mrs. Reynolds that if they were going to take care of their bodies, they should all do it together, allowing Theodore to experience the enchanting taste of the medicine.


    Phoebe quickly explained to Mrs. Reynolds, "Mom, that''s not what I meant. I mean, Theodore has been working so hard lately. He manages such a large company, and his body can''t take it. He needs some nourishment too." After speaking, she continued to hint laugh franticallyanxiously.


    Only then did Mrs. Reynolds realize what Phoebe truly meant. She gently patted Phoebe on the back and said, "Look at you, child. If you''re concerned about your husband, just say so. IYou''ve misunderstood youme. Don''t worry, I''ll see the old doctor tomorrow and get a few prescriptions to nourish Theodore''s body."


    Theodore: "..."


    Seeing the harmonious interaction between the two, Mrs. Reynolds felt overjoyed and hurried to the kitchen to instruct the maid to prepare dinner.


    After dinner, Theodore went to his study, while Phoebe returned to her room to take a shower.


    When she came out wearing her pajamas, she saw Theodore sitting on the bed, looking at his phone. Suddenly, she felt uncomfortable all over, unsure of where to place her hands and feet.


    Theodore raised an eyebrow and looked at her with a calm and deep gaze. "The maid has brought the medicine. Drink it and go to sleep."


    Indeed, there was a distinct bitter scent of medicine in the air. Phoebe furrowed her eyebrows, looking at the medicine placed on the nightstand...


    Theodore looked at her without expression as she sat down on the edge of the bed, staring dejectedly at the bowl of medicine. "You know that I cannot conceive again, why don''t you let me tell them the truth?" "Without trying, how would you know that you can''t conceive?" Theodore interrupted.


    Phoebe turned around in surprise, meeting his cold and deep gaze. Her heart raced anxiously. "You...you clearly don''t want..."


    "I don''t want them," Theodore interrupted with a smirk that didn''t quite reach his eyes. "But I won''t let you off easy either. Think about how much it would pain Edward every time he sees our children in the future. Isn''t that exciting?" Phoebe looked at him in disbelief. The bright light above illuminated his face, making his handsome and profound features appear even colder and darker. The palpable hatred in his eyes caused her heart to ache. He truly despised her, to seek revenge in such a self-destructive manner.


    "Theodore, please don''t do this," Phoebe pleaded.


    "Do what?" Theodore smiled, a smile devoid of humor, replaced entirely by hatred. "Phoebe, do you dare to feel sorry for him in front of me? Do you think I''m dead?"


    No, the one she pities is him. She remembers how he used to be at school, so full of confidence and how he took over the Reynolds Group. He was a shining pearl in the world, but here with her, he had become mired hindered in dust, a secularprofane man consumed by shadows and hatred. He shouldn''t and couldn''t be like this.


    "It''s been three years. If you still can''t let go, we can get a divorce. Why torture yourself and become so unbearable?" Phoebe said, her heart aching. "Unbearable?" Theodore''s anger flared up, and his eyes burned with hatred. "Phoebe, you have the audacity to say those words?"


    Phoebe''s heart was pricked, and she tried to explain in vain. "I told you, that night, we didn''t do anything. I woke up and found Edward lying next to me."


    In reality, she had explained countless times over the past two years, but Theodore never once believed her, always holding onto this issue.


    Theodore''s bloodshot eyes filled with rage as he clenched his teeth, his words bursting out from between them. "Fine, then tell me, why do you have a hickey on your neck? Why did you miscarry the child?"


    "I..." Phoebe opened her mouth, but no words came out.


    Even to this day, she still couldn''t understand why she had miscarried. She went for regular check-ups at the hospital, her body was healthy, and the child was healthy too, showing no signs of miscarriage. That morning she had followed Theodore out of the hotel, nobody bumped into her, she didn''t fall, but the child was suddenly gone.


    "You shameless woman!,B back then using the pregnancy as a way to control me," Theodore''s voice was filled with accusationdenunciation.

 Chapter 10

    Theodore''s words echoed in Phoebe''s ears like a thunderboltthunderclap, leaving her pale-faced and feeling a wrenching pain in her heart. Her eyes grew sore and swollen. She reached for the medicine on the bedside table and swallowed it in one gulp, the bitter taste of the liquid causing her stomach to convulse.


    Suppressing the urge to vomit, she stood up and walked towards the door. "I''ll take the bowl down."


    With the way things hadve escalated between them, it was impossible for them to share the same bed tonight. She briskly left the room with the bowl in her hands.


    As the door closed behind her, she heard another loud thud. She didn''t know what unfortunate item had become Theodore''s venting tool this time.


    She stood in the hallway for a while until her pain subsided, and then she went downstairs.


    Mrs. Reynolds and the maid were in the living room, watching variety shows and munching on sunflower seeds. When they saw Phoebe coming down with the bowl, the maid quickly got up and took it from her. "Phoebe, why did you bring it down yourself?"


    Phoebe forced a smile. "I wanted to take a walk outside and happened to bring it down."


    "It''s so late, are you sure you want to go out? Is Theodore asleep? If he''s not, ask him to accompany you. It''s not safe for you to go out alone," Mrs. Reynolds interjected.


    She was indeed unhappy with Phoebe becoming Theodore''s wife, but regardless of her dissatisfaction, it was her son who had gotten the other woman pregnant.


    The men of the Reynolds family were known for taking responsibility for their actions.


    Now that Phoebe had married into the Reynolds family, as long as she gave birth to a healthy grandchild, her humble origins could be overlooked.


    Just look at Christian and his wife, they''re quite affectionate towards each other.


    Phoebe lowered her gaze, fixating on the tip of her shoe. Mrs. Reynolds was a romantic person, having prepared matching slippers and sleepwear for Phoebe and Theodore.


    If she knew that they had fallen out of love two and a half years ago, would she be heartbroken?


    "He''s really tired today, I''ll just walk around the garden, not go out," Phoebe said as she made her way towards the door.


    It was only when her figure disappeared into the hallway that the maid approached Mrs. Reynolds and whispered in a hushed voice, "I noticed that Phoebe''s eyes were red, did they have a fight?" Mrs. Reynolds frowned, placing the seeds back into the fruit plate. "I''ll go check on them."


    *


    The Reynolds family estate was vast. Phoebe walked around the lawn and arrived at the lake. The cool breeze of the summer night tousled her long hair, making her figure appear even more fragile. Her phone buzzed incessantly in her pocket, and she knew who was calling. After a while, she finally decided to answer.


    The person who persists tirelessly is none other than her mother.


    She suspected that if she didn''t answer, she could endure a whole night of calls.


    Phoebe took a deep breath and answered the phone. Mrs. Ziegler''s angry voice came through her cellphone, "Phoebe, what''s wrong with you? I''ve been calling all day!, Wwhy didn''t you answer?" "Mom," Phoebe moved the phone further away, "can you please stop bothering me?"


    "I''m bothering you?" Mrs. Ziegler said incredulously, her voice becoming sharp, "I care about you, and you''re saying I''m bothering you? Do you have no conscience?"


    Phoebe closed her eyes, "Do you really care about me? Do you care about whether I can secure Mrs. Reynolds'' position, whether I can continue to benefit you? If you truly cared about me, you wouldn''t have gone behind my back and forced Theodore to marry me!"


    The night breeze blew gently, and Phoebe heard her own breath gasping for air.


    She finally said it out loud..


    These words had been hidden in her heart for so long, she had originally intended to bury them deep inside. She and Theodore had been married for three years, what was the point of delving into how they got married? "So that''s what you think of me, Phoebe, you are truly heartless." Mrs. Ziegler became furious, panting heavily on the other end of the phone.


    "Isn''t it true?" Phoebe didn''t want to argue with her, but the words came out firmly, "I said it before, I can support a child on my own, I don''t rely on anyone, why did you need to go to him?"


    Two people who disliked each other, forced to come together because of that reckless night, because of the unexpected child, how could they be happy?


    Their marriage started off so wretchedly, how could it be happy?


    Mrs. Ziegler softened her tone, "If I didn''t go to him, are you saying you would have married Edward? Phoebe, when did you become so naive?"


    "I never considered marrying him." Phoebe''s eyes were stinging with pain, a blink away from tears. Until now, the memory of that night still tore her apart.


    That evening, Theodore took her out to entertain, at the banquet, she blocked several glasses of alcohol for himer. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had told her before that his secretary didn''t need to block alcohol for him. If there came a day when he needed his secretary to help him block alcohol, it wouldn''t be long before Reynolds Group went bankrupt.


    Later on, he got drunk, and she helped him to the hotel room to rest. He was too heavy, and once they entered the room, both of them stumbled and fell to the floor because of the carpet.


    That impact stunned her, and when she regained her senses, she realized she was pinned beneath Theodore, which frightened her, so she struggled.


    But her struggle awakened a sleeping lion, and in the end, she was devoured by him to nothing but bones.


    "You are my own flesh and blood!, Hhow could I not know what you''re thinking?" Mrs. Ziegler said, "Even if this hadn''t happened, you and Edward are worlds apart. Mrs. Vanderbilt would never agree to Edward marrying you." The flames roared, burning fiercely. "I told you, I never thought of marrying him," Phoebe said.


    Listening to her stubborn words, Mrs. Ziegler sighed softly. "Phoebe, whether you believe it or not, when I went to Theodore and asked him to take responsibility, it was the best choice for you."


    Phoebe couldn''t bear to listen any longer and forcefully hung up the phone. Leaning against the railing, she suddenly felt nauseated.


    *


    Mrs. Reynolds went upstairs and stopped outside Theodore and his wife''s room. She raised her hand and knocked on the door several times, but no one answered. She bent down to take a peek through the crack and saw that there was a light. on inside. So, she pushed the door open and entered directly.


    There was no one in the room, but she did see a tall figure standing on the terrace, surrounded by white smoke. Whether it was the darkness enveloping him or something else, his silhouette appeared desolate and lonely.


    She walked through the bedroom and onto the terrace, reaching out to take the cigarette from his hand.


    Theodore turned his head abruptly, and when he saw her, his newly lit eyes instantly dimmed. He licked his dry lips, and the scent of nicotine lingered between them. It was bitter, and a little harsh.


    "Why have you come up here?" Theodore asked.


    Mrs. Reynolds extinguished the cigarette and wrinkled her brow at the smell of smoke all over him. "Didn''t I tell you to quit smoking? Why are you still smoking?"


    Theodore gripped the railing with both hands and said, "I was irritated, so I smoked two."


    "Is it because of Vanessa is coming back?" Mrs. Reynolds asked when she saw him freeze. She spoke with dissatisfaction, "And the argument with Phoebe, is it because of her?"

 Chapter 11

    Theodore took out his cigarette case, intending to light another one, but Mrs. Reynolds rudely took it away. "Smoke, smoke, do you want towhen will you become as addicted to smoking likeas your father?" Theodore''s thin lips formed a straight line, his eyes dark and deeply merging with the night, making him somewhat intimidating.


    Startled by his expression, Mrs. Reynolds slapped him on the shoulder since he was her own son. "Why are you giving me that look? I''m your mother."


    Theodore remained silent. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing that he didn''t answer, Mrs. Reynolds kept rambling, "I actually quite liked Vanessa at the beginning. She''s just a bit temperamental, a little scheming. If you two had married, I wouldn''t have to worry."


    The Fitzroy family was a literary and scholarly family, with many notable figures. Although they were not as wealthy as the Reynolds family, their fame was undeniable.


    Now, Vanessa was still a renowned pianist, and it would have been a great honor to have her as a daughter-in-law.


    Theodore remained tight-lipped.


    Mrs. Reynolds, seeing his stoic expression, couldn''t help but sigh. "Saying these things now only brings unnecessary distress. Since you married Phoebe, you should treat her better. In a marriage, a husband should always treat his wife well, at least for three days..."


    "They argue so much and lose all their emotions," Theodore thought, his brows furrowing slightly. Did they actually have any emotions between them?


    "Even you, who used to be so gentlemanly and polite to Vanessa, now treat Phoebe so poorly. You direct all your bad temper towards her, and she''s just a young girl who married into our family. Be kinder to her and don''t let others think that we look down on her or mistreat her behind closed doors," Mrs. Reynolds scolded.


    Theodore grew increasingly irritated as he listened, "What have I done wrong to her?"


    He recalled how when she was pregnant and craved sugar-fried chestnuts in the middle of the night, he resisted his exhaustion and drove forty kilometers to wake up his chef to fry some for her. Worried that they might cool down and not taste as good, he wrapped the freshly fried chestnuts in his jacket pocket and raced back to the villa, peeling them himself and feeding her.


    Seeing her eat with such satisfaction, even if his chest was burned and swollen, he didn''t utter a word of complaint. Aside from not loving her, was he not good to her? And yet she would do such things, things that hurt his heart and stabbed his soullungs!


    Mrs. Reynolds paused for a moment, carefully considering. Theodore did treat Phoebe well. The two of them respected each other and could be regarded as a model couple in front of others.


    "Between the two of you... I have to say, it looks like you are loving, but I also feel a certain distance. Theodore, you are my son, and I can tell whether you are happy or not. But this marriage was your decision. No one could have stopped you then, and now that things have turned out this way, was this your original intention when you married her?"


    Seeing him silently standing there, she wasn''t sure if he had heard her words. Mrs. Reynolds said, "Alright, you understand the reason behind my words. It''s up to you whether you want to do something about it. Rest now, I''ll go downstairs." Mrs. Reynolds left, and Theodore stood on the terrace, tall and alone, his figure lonely and desolate. He reached into his pocket and realized he didn''t have any cigarettes. He suddenly remembered that Mrs. Reynolds had confiscated them. Nothing seemed to be going well.


    Phoebe returned to her room, her body already chilled. She stood at the door for a while before walking quietly to the edge of the bed.


    On the other side of the bed, the quilt was raised in a bundle. She gently lifted the quilt and lay down against the edge of the bed.


    The bed was large enough for three or four people, as long as they didn''t intentionally move closer to each other. However, as soon as she laid down, Theodore got up and left the room.


    Phoebe lay still, listening to his footsteps as he went to the study. It seemed that he really detested her, preferring to sit alone in the study all night rather than sleep on the same bed as her.


    In the darkness, Phoebe lay with her eyes open for a long time. Suddenly, she heard the sound of rain outside the window. She was exhausted today, and before long, she drifted off to sleep, listening to the peaceful sound of rain.


    The next morning, Phoebe woke up early. She subconsciously glanced to the side and didn''t see Theodore''s figure. She let out a sigh of relief, got up, and went to the bathroom to freshen up.


    After finishing in the bathroom, she passed through the small living room outside and saw Theodore lying on the sofa, sound asleep. He had a handsome face, his hand resting on his forehead, and his chest rhythmically rising and falling. As Theodore breathed in and out, his chest rose and fell. Phoebe noticed that he had changed his clothes, wearing a shirt on top and black suit trousers below.


    Her gaze lingered on him as she tiptoed, preparing to leave. Suddenly, Theodore moved slightly and then opened his eyes.


    What a perceptive person!.


    Theodore''s eyes seemed to clear up the moment he saw her. He immediately sat up, probably sensing something strange about his body. He looked up at Phoebe, with sharp eyes full of mockery. "What''s wrong?"


    Phoebe blushed with embarrassment and knew she couldn''t argue with him about this. She could only escape through the door.


    She ran so fast that she almost bumped into someone''s arms.


    The person reached out to help her, and their almond-shaped eyes resembled Theodore''s to some extent. "Little sister-in-law, why are you running so fast? Is there a tiger chasing you from behind?" Phoebe quickly took a step back, distancing herself from the person. "I''m sorry, did I hurtbump into you?"


    "I''m sturdy, you can''t break me. But you should be careful not to hurt yourself, little sister-in-law." The person speaking was Theodore''s second brother, Christopher.


    He was a playboy, flirting with anyone from the age of eight to eighty. Phoebe had long been accustomed to it.


    She was about to speak when she heard a cold snort behind her. "Heh, only a hen that doesn''t lay eggs will fall foris worth you, second brother, groveling like this. Let the eldest brother know, and he''ll definitely teach you a lesson." Phoebe looked up and saw Madison walking towards them with arrogance. The spoiled little princess had looked down on her since their first meeting.


    Christopher glared at her displeased. "I''m your second brother, can''t you speak nicely?"


    "I thought you didn''t know your own identity, second brother. And as for you, sister-in-law, you''re seducing my second brother while hanging onto my eldest brother. Are you trying to create conflict between them?" Madison''s eyes were full of disdain and contempt.


    This accusation made even the usually gentle Christopher angry. "Madison, what nonsense are you spewing?"


    "I''m not spewing nonsense!, Sshe knows it best in her heart." Madison stepped forward, her gaze fixed on Phoebe. "Do you remember how you climbed into my eldest brother''s bed back then? You better be honest with me, or else I''ll make sure you get kicked out of the Reynolds family."


    "Madison!" Christopher scolded in a low voice. "This is not how we, the Reynolds family, speak. Show some respect."


    "Respect? Does she deserve any respect? Is she worthy?" Madison arrogantly pointed at Phoebe, expressing her deep hatred towards her.


    "She is your sister-in-law! H, how can she not be worthy?" In the distance, a cold voice rang out.


    The three of them turned around and saw Theodore approaching them with a menacing look in his eyes.

 Chapter 12

    Theodore was dressed in a black suit, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs. His facial features were sharp and cold, exuding a powerful yet icy aura, akin to that of a nocturnal king. He stood before them, staring coldly at Madison, his gaze sharp and piercing.


    Startled, Madison took a step back, her earlier arrogance vanishing without a trace. "Brother, I was just playing around with sister-in-law, right?"


    Phoebe''s mood was complex. She didn''t want her siblings to argue because of her. Just as she was about to play the peacemaker, Theodore sternly interrupted, "Which younger sister-in-law dares to play around like this with her sister-in-law?" Madison''s face turned pale. Among all the people in this household, her older brother was the one she feared the most. That''s why she had always kept Phoebe''s secrets away from him.


    This hypocritical woman, what right does she have to marry her brother? And what right does she have to make her older brother, Edward, so infatuated with her?


    "Brother..."


    "Apologize to your sister-in-law immediately," Theodore interrupted her, his voice as cold as ice.


    He didn''t care about Phoebe. All he wanted was to keep her by his side, to toy with and torment her. He wouldn''t allow anyone else to insult her.


    Madison''s eyes widened in disbelief. "You want me to apologize to her? Why should I? I already said we were just playing."


    Theodore''s eyes were sharp like a hawk''s, and his tone remained just as intense. "Apologize!"


    That simple yet forceful word made the atmosphere suddenly tense. Phoebe felt she should say something.


    But before she could speak, Theodore coldly looked at her, as if telling her that he was the one teaching his sister a lesson, and she had no right to interfere.


    Phoebe obediently closed her mouth.


    Madison was furious, her eyes becoming red. She knew that her brother was a man of his word. If she didn''t apologize today, he would never let it go.


    Suppressing her humiliation, she apologized to Phoebe. "Sister-in-law, I have a habit of speaking without thinking. I shouldn''t have spoken so recklessly about you."


    The apology lacked sincerity, but Phoebe didn''t want to argue with her. She just wanted to put an end to the matter quickly. She said, "It''s alright." When has Madison ever been subjected to such humiliation? She stomped her foot in anger and turned back to her room.


    Christopher awkwardly rubbed his nose and quickly followed her.


    After they left, only Phoebe and Theodore remained in the corridor. Phoebe felt uneasy all over. "Actually... you don''t have to stand up for me. Her words won''t hurt me. It''s not good for the relationship between you and your siblings if because of me..."


    "Stand up for you?" Theodore laughed coldly. Before he could finish the second half of his sentence, Phoebe interjected, "Am I worth it? Okay, I understand now. I''m not worth it." S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Phoebe''s self-questioning and self-answering made Theodore pause for a second. Despite her despondent tone, he found her somewhat adorable. He didn''t know what to do with all the resentment and hatred he had for her.


    This woman seemed docile and easy to bully, like a well-behaved little cat. But even the most well-behaved cats would eventually show their claws and scratch.


    She wouldn''t get involved with Madison.


    Madison stormed back to her room, causing a loud crash as she threw things around. When Christopher entered the room, he narrowly avoided getting hit by a vase.


    "I knew you would be angry," he remarked.


    Madison glared at him in frustration. "How could Big Brother make me apologize to that woman? Is she even worthy of it? I think all of you are fooled by her innocent appearance." Christopher leaned against the wall and said, "Do you think Big Brother asked you to apologize for Big Sister-in-Law''s sake?"


    "Isn''t that the reason?" Madison retorted.


    Christopher shook his head. "Big Sister-in-Law is Big Brother''s wife. When you hurt her, you also hurt Big Brother. You know him well enough. He protects his own and can do whatever he wants to them, but he won''t tolerate a single word against them from others."


    "But I''m his own sister," Madison protested unwillingly.


    "Lucky for you that you''re his sister. He only ordered you to apologize and let it go. If it were someone else, it might not end so well," Christopher explained.


    "You are usually so smart. Why are you acting foolish in this matter with Big Sister-in-Law? Also, be careful not to drag me down with your thoughtless comments. The way Big Brother looked at me just now made me feel like a dead person," Christopher warned.


    Madison remained speechless.


    After breakfast, Mrs. Reynolds had the maid bring two large bags of supplements to Theodore''s car. Just before leaving, she heated up a bowl of medicine and watched as Phoebe drank it. Phoebe made a bitter face as she finished and got into the car with Theodore. He looked at her dejected expression and frowned. "Is it really that hard to drink?"


    With a bitter taste in her mouth and an upset stomach, Phoebe couldn''t help but retort, "It''s much better to drink than birth control pills."


    Theodore gritted his teeth and his gaze scanned her delicate neck. He had an urge to strangle her. "You don''t need to provoke me. You married into the Reynolds family just to have my child, didn''t you?"


    "Then please be merciful, Mr. Reynolds, and stop forcing me to take both supplements and birth control pills. It''s difficult for me to switch between wanting and not wanting a child," Phoebe replied.


    "You make it sound like I''m forcing you to take birth control pills. As if you could actually give birth without them," Theodore''s tone turned cold as he pinpointed Phoebe''s weakness.


    Her heart ached, and wisely she chose to stay silent. She knew that the two of them could argue about anything besides work.


    Over the next few days, Phoebe was busy with her work. Aside from Vanessa, she had already met and assessed several other artists, getting to know their overall abilities.


    Coincidentally, two popular variety shows were coming up, one was a talent show and the other was a travel variety show. She began making arrangements for the artists to participate. She first let them increase their exposure and get familiar in front of the audience.


    Suddenly, the phone on the table rang, Phoebe picked it up and answered. A man''s cold instructions came from the other end, "Go downstairs, come with me to the airport to pick someone up."


    Phoebe didn''t know who he was going to pick up, but she grabbed her bag and hurriedly left.


    Outside the company gate, she saw a white limousine parked outside. She hesitated for a moment, and the car door opened with a "swish" from the inside.


    Theodore impatiently looked at her, "Get in the car."


    Phoebe got in the car and sat next to Theodore. The man was reading documents and didn''t even lift his head, "Has Vanessa''s agent been found?"


    Phoebe pursed her lips, "Not yet. It''s difficult to hire a more famous agent, and smaller agents are afraid of not fulfilling Miss Fitzroy''s needs."


    This was the first time they talked about Vanessa, and Phoebe felt a bit uneasy in her chest.


    "Then you take care of her for now," Theodore''s voice paused for a moment, "Your connections in the entertainment industry are quite good. I heard that you managed to get those few young artists into popular variety shows. I underestimated your abilities."


    Although he was praising her, the way he said it was strange, not quite right.


    Phoebe pursed her lips, thinking, he entrusted his precious gem to her, who did he want to provoke? Would Vanessa agree?

 Chapter 13

    Phoebe didn''t want to have any interaction with Vanessa. The relationship between the ex-girlfriend and the current wife was so awkward that she could dig out a villa from the soles of her shoes just by thinking about it. What was Theodore thinking?


    "Thanks to Mr. Reynolds'' guidance over the past two years, I have learned a lot from following you," Phoebe quickly flattered.


    Actually, it wasn''t really flattery. Phoebe did learn a lot from him.


    Theodore sneered, "No matter how one dresses, flattery is the only thing that remains, right?"


    Phoebe laughed awkwardly, "Why are you exposing me?" sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Don''t call me ''Mr. Reynoldsyou'' all the time. I''m not that old, I''m under thirty," Theodore said irritably.


    Haha, what a burden. Who''s the one who always has a coffin-face and acts old?


    Phoebe thought, they really don''t get along, they always argue as soon as they speak. She wondered if he acted the same way with Vanessa.


    But she quickly found out.


    The limousine stopped outside the airport terminal, Theodore got out first, his tailored pants hugged his slender and well-proportioned legs, and the fabric outlined the lines of his calves, thin and smooth, very attractive. Phoebe snapped back to reality, just hearing the impatient voice of the man, "Aren''t you getting out?"


    "Oh, oh." Phoebe quickly shook her head, getting rid of those scattered thoughts, and hurriedly got out of the car.


    Theodore was tall with long legs, taking big steps, leaving her behind. She had to jog to catch up. Upon arriving at the arrival gate, Phoebe soon realized that there were quite a few people waiting. "Who are we here to pick up?" Phoebe asked, panting for breath.


    Theodore, wearing an expressionless face, stared at the exit gate and replied, "We''re here to pick up Vanessa. She''s returning home today." Phoebe was taken aback. Her assistant and the people on Vanessa''s side confirmed that she would only be returning next week. So why today? Soon, the passengers started streaming out from the gate, and Phoebe stood on tiptoes, trying to catch a glimpse of Vanessa in the crowd. She wasn''t familiar with Vanessa, and even after studying her information for days, it would be impossible for her to recognize her in the crowd.


    It was not until a vibrant and confident woman rushed over, embracing Theodore as she greeted him warmly, that Phoebe finally recognized her. This woman, with a baseball cap and a youthful and lively aura, was Vanessa. "Theodore, I''ve missed you so much. I''m finally back," Vanessa said as she continued to hold onto Theodore. Her exquisitely structuredmade-up face blushed, radiating an indescribable beauty.


    Phoebe stood next to them, watching the two of them embracing each other. At this moment, it felt as if there was an insurmountable chasm separating her from them, a rift she couldn''t penetratenavigate. Theodore didn''t say a word nor did he push her away. He simply looked at her with a gentle gaze, as if through the passage of time, he was looking at the love of his life, the one he missed the most.


    Vanessa was moved by his gaze, and her eyes became slightly moist.


    Years ago, she had acted impulsively and went to Poland, thinking that he would follow. However, she never expected that after waiting for two months, she unexpectedly received the news she received was that he had married someone else. Some nearby people started recognizing Vanessa and began taking pictures of her. It seemed like a passionate and romantic kiss was about to unfold at the airport.


    Stepping forward, Phoebe blocked the camera lens and said, "Forgive me for interrupting, but can we continue pouring out our hearts to each other after getting in the car?"


    Finally, aware of her presence, the two of them looked at her. Theodore gave her a cold glance, and suddenly the other passengers started to become unruly.


    "Isn''t that the piano queen, Vanessa? She''s back in the country. Who''s that handsome guy next to her? They seem so intimate."


    "Ah, Vanessa is so beautiful! She''s even more stunning in person than on TV. Is she joining the entertainment industry? She''s bound to become popular! Let''s take pictures to remember this."


    "She''s a big celebrity. Quick, take her picture!" someone in the crowd exclaimed. Initially, only a small number of people were taking photos, but soonnow almost everyone was pushing towards them, brandishingwaving their phones. Frowning, Theodore realized the situation had become difficult. Quickly sheltering Vanessa in his embrace, he said, "The car is outside. Let''s geto out firstof here!."


    Seeing the crowd surging towards them, Phoebe hurriedly stood in front of them. "Please do not take photos... Do not push. Please be careful..."


    However, joining in the excitement was a part of human nature.


    Especially in the age of entertainment, where celebrities reigned supreme. Even if it was just a small internet celebrity appearing at the airport, it would cause quite a commotion, not to mention intentionally stirring up trouble.


    Phoebe was pushed back by the crowd, struggling to protect Vanessa''s luggage. It was a chaotic scene. Suddenly, someone pushed her and she slipped, falling to the ground. Before she could get up, someone stepped directly on her. The madness continued as they relentlessly pursued the "star", trampling over Phoebe''s hands and legs.


    "You''re stepping on me..." Phoebe managed to utter in pain.


    She turned her head in difficulty, only to see Theodore hastily walking out of the airport, protecting Vanessa, without even looking back at her. As the crowd dispersed, Phoebe struggled to get up from the ground, feeling pain all over her body. She stood in the same spot for a while until her phone vibrated in her pocket, bringing her back to her senses.


    She answered the call, and a man''s voice on the other end angrily demanded, "Where did you go?"


    Phoebe''s ears buzzed as she heard the familiar voice. Her eyes welled up with hot tears, overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness. She almost cried as she replied, "I... I''m still at the airport."


    She had underestimated Vanessa''s popularity in the country. She had not expected her to be recognized even when picking her up. If she had known in advance, she would have taken better security measures. On the other end of the phone, there was a commotion, perhaps someone knocking on the car window. Theodore impatiently interrupted, "We''re going back first. You can take a taxi to the company by yourself."


    After saying that, he hung up the phone. Phoebe stood motionless in the middle of the airport, feeling like an abandoned puppy with an indescribable sense of pity. She put her phone back into her pocket, not knowing what she had touched, causing a burning pain on the back of her hand.


    She looked down and saw that her right hand had swollen like a steamed bun, with a piece of skin peeled off on the back, staining her entire hand red with blood, even smearing on her sleeves, a horrifying sight.


    The other hand was not any better. She closed her eyes and tried to force the sourness back into her heart. Enduring the pain, she dragged her luggage towards the exit of the airport.


    Just as she walked away, someone came out from behind. The person wore a duckbill cap and sunglasses, almost covering half of her face. However, from her tall and slender figure, it was clear that she was a woman. She sneered, "Phoebe, you deserved this! You occupied Mrs. Reynolds'' position for three years. Now that the rightful owner has returned, it''s about time for you to step aside."


    As Phoebe sat in the taxi, she sneezed repeatedly. She returned to the company and before she could even tend to her injured hand, Theodore called her to the top floor. Judging from his tone, he was quite angry.


    Phoebe didn''t delay and took the elevator upstairs. Just as she entered the CEO''s office, a file came flying towards her, hitting her directly.

 Chapter 14

    Phoebe was stunned by the impact, feeling the sharp edges of the folder grazing her temple. A stream of blood splattered into her eyes, causing intense pain.


    Theodore''s anger soared, "Phoebe, how did you become a broker? If it weren''t for me quickly taking Vanessa away from the airport, do you have any ideaknow what cwould''ve happened to her?" Phoebe stood still, feeling that the physical pain she was experiencing was nothing compared to the pain in her heart, which was gradually intensifying.


    Just now, at the airport, she saw him walking away with Vanessa, protecting her.


    She thought that, both publicly and privately, he should do so.


    Publicly, Vanessa is the leading lady of QUEEN Entertainment, and her safety is paramount. Privately, Vanessa is his first love, the person he cherishes most. Who else should he protect if not her? But why did she feel so sad watching him walk away with Vanessa in his arms without even looking back?


    Vanessa sat on the couch, not expecting Theodore to become so angry. She saw Phoebe covered in blood and quickly stood up to shield Theodore''s sight.


    She exclaimed, "Miss Ziegler, you''re bleeding!"


    She hurriedly walked towards Phoebe, while blaming Theodore, "Theodore, you were too rough. How could you throw files at Miss Ziegler? Such a beautiful face, it would be a pity if it got scarredscared." Theodore''s face was tense, obviously still angry, and he didn''t even glance at Phoebe.


    "Theodore really doesn''t know how to cherish beauty. He wasn''t like this before," Vanessa said gently, standing in front of Phoebe. "Miss Ziegler, let me help you clean up. You''re bleeding, maybe I can accompany you to the medical room?" Phoebe instinctively took a step back, avoiding her hand. "No need to trouble, Miss Fitzroy. I''ll go by myself later. It was my negligence today, and I won''t let this happen again in the future."


    "Don''t say that. It''s partly my fault for changing the schedule without notifying you. I just wanted to surprise Theodore, but little did I know he would come to pick me up in person."


    Vanessa smiled tenderly. "He''s still the same as before. Anything related to me, he will personally take care of before feeling at ease."


    Phoebe suddenly raised her hand and wiped her eye corner. Vanessa looked at her bloody hand, but pretended not to see anything. "Let me accompany you to the medical room to treat the wound."


    Phoebe sneered inwardly. Just now, she wasn''t sure, thinking that Vanessa was as bright and open as her appearance suggested, but she turned out to be a cunning fox.


    She deliberately walked up to her, not to help wipe the blood off her face, but to prevent Theodore from seeing the injury on her hand, right?


    Sure enough! S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Theodore spoke, "Vanessa, what does it matter to you? A small wound like that won''t kill her. But you, after such a long flight and being frightened at the airport, let''s finish discussing the contract and I''ll take you back to rest." Phoebe''s heart was filled with bitterness. She was just slightly injured, but his beloved was frightened.


    How could he treat them so differently?


    "Since I''m not needed here, I''ll go first," Phoebe said, her voice filled with disappointment. As she turned to leave, she couldn''t help but glance back at Theodore and Vanessa, their figures intertwined. Silently, she whispered, "I hope you will cherish her."


    "Phoebe clenched her fists tightly and thought to herself, indeed, there is no pain without comparison. She used to endure his mistreatment so easily, so why did she feel so wronged when Vanessa came back?


    Phoebe turned around and walked away, only to hear Theodore''s cold voice from behind, "With such a bad temper, who allowed you to behave like this? If you don''t hand in a 5000-word reflection on this matter today, I''ll kick you out immediately."


    Phoebe clenched her fists even tighter at her side. She had spent so much time with Theodore that she knew his temper all too well. Even if she argued with him now, she wouldn''t gain any advantage. It would be better to just obey and make things simpler.


    "I understand," Phoebe said as she opened the door and left, oblivious to the smug smile on Vanessa''s face.


    Carol hurriedly ran over and was startled to see the injuries on Phoebe''s face and hands. Her eyes immediately turned red as she exclaimed, "Phoebe, how did you get hurt like this, my goodness." "It''s nothing, just a little accident. I''ll go to the medical room to get it treated," Phoebe replied.


    "I''ll accompany you," Carol hesitated. It was during work hours, and if she left her post without permission, Mr. Reynolds would be furious.


    Phoebe shook her head. "No need, you should go to work. Mr. Reynolds might be looking for you soon."


    "Then... then I''ll come see you after work. You''re so injured, how about taking half a day off and resting instead of working?" Carol babbled on.


    Phoebe didn''t say anything and simply waved her hand at Carol before taking the elevator to the medical room to tend to her wounds.


    "Your injuries... if someone doesn''t know, they would think you were subjected to a private execution. How did it end up like this?" Dr. Grey from the medical room said as he applied medicine to her wounds.


    "I accidentally tripped," Phoebe said, not wanting to mention what happened at the airport.


    Dr. Grey glanced at her. "Who could trip and end up with both hands like this? If you don''t want to say, I won''t ask further. But take care of your own body. Don''t think being young means you can be careless. You''ll suffer when you''re old." Phoebe forced a smile. "Thank you, Dr. Grey."


    Dr. Grey sighed and prescribed two tubes of ointment for her wounds. He instructed her not to get her injured hands wet for the next few days before seeing her off.


    Back at QUEEN Entertainment, Phoebe locked her office door, changed into clean clothes, and sat on her office chair, staring absentmindedly at her two bandaged hands.


    She began to replay what had happened at the airport today. Did Vanessa have such a huge popularity in China that it caused such chaos? According to the itinerary they had previously discussed, Vanessa was supposed to return to China next week.


    She also mentioned earlier that she came back early to surprise Theodore, so how did Theodore know she was returning today and even went to pick her up?


    Furthermore, since she returned to China quietly, even if she had a strong fan base, no one would know to go to the airport."


    Stakeout at the airport, so why did those people suddenly rush excitedly to take photos of her?


    Because someone suddenly shouted, "That''s a big star!, everyone take her picture!" That person understood people''s love for joining in the excitement, and with just a few words, ignited their emotions, causing the situation to completely spiral out of control.


    Phoebe closed her eyes.


    It seems that Vanessa''s return this time is not a good sign.


    In the following days, Theodore never returned to their apartment. The medicine Mrs. Reynolds sent him was still untouched, sitting in the refrigerator.


    One morning, Phoebe woke up in bed and subconsciously turned her head to the side. Although she had become accustomed to his recent nights out, not seeing his figure left her feeling empty.


    Vanessa had returned, spending every day with her sweetheart, enjoying herself. Why would he want to come back to this cold and empty home?


    After finishing her morning routine, Phoebe was about to go to the kitchen to make breakfast for herself when she heard the sound of the door creak"drip" as someone entered from outside.


    She looked up and saw a tall and elegant figure stepping into her line of sight, bathed in the golden morning sunlight.


    Theodore, exuding a restrained charm. His back was so straight, and his legs so long, elegant and majestic. How could he be so handsome?


    Phoebe felt her heart door uncontrollably crack open, her heartbeat accelerating, and she even began to tremble uncontrollably.

 Chapter 15

    Theodore walked towards her amidst the scattered golden rays of light, seeing her trembling so violently that he reached out to touch her. "What''s wrong with you, are you sick?"


    "Slap!"


    Phoebe slapped away his hand, staggering back two steps. "Don''t touch me!"


    The atmosphere suddenly froze.


    Theodore''s hand froze in mid-air, a red mark immediately appearing on the clear bones of the back of his hand. In his calm and tranquil eyes, waves of shock and turmoil surged. He took a step forward, grabbed her wrist, and pinned her against the wall, hot breath pouring over her. "What, you don''t want me to touch you, then who do you want to touch?" Phoebe bit her lip, turning her face to the side. The man''s breath tickled her neck, making her tremble uncontrollably.


    In the thin summer clothes, with her head turned like this, the defined lines of her neck resembled a swan waiting to be slaughtered, giving rise to the most primitive desires in humans. Theodore''s eyes grew fierce, his breath becoming rapid.


    His lips pressed against her fair and slender neck, the skin underneath trembling incessantly, a faint hint of fragrance lingering around his nose. It was her scent, carrying a slight warmth and a hint of sweetness. He became entranced by this fragrance, unable to free himself.


    Suddenly, the suppressed sobbing of a woman reached his ears, causing Theodore''s entire body to tremble. He slowly lifted his head, his gaze scalded by the tears on her face.


    He pursed his lips and said harshly, "Why cry, do you hate being intimate with me so much?"


    As soon as he said these words, he was angered by his own words.


    Hating being touched by him, because she still held Edward in her heart. She really knows how to dig into his heart.


    "Teddy, you bastard!" Phoebe forcefully pushed him, despite heris slim figure. She pushed again, but he didn''t budge. Determined, she pushed even harder.


    Her face turned red, but she still couldn''t move him an inch.


    Theodore held her chin, his gaze sinister. "I may not be as good at pleasing you as Edward, but Phoebe, even if I''m a bastard, I am still your husband. Remember that."


    With that, he let go of her and turned to enter the bedroom.


    With a loud bang, the door slammed shut, shaking the room. Phoebe slid down to the ground, leaning against the wall, feeling utterly powerless. She covered her face with her hands, tears wetting her fingertips. Avoiding each other would be better than fighting!


    Theodore changed his clothes and emerged from the bedroom. The living room was filled with the fragrant aroma of white rice porridge. He pressed his stomach with his hand.


    Instead of going to the entrance, he walked into the dining room where Phoebe sat, having breakfast. He sat down opposite her.


    "Pour me a bowl," he commanded with a rather haughty tone.


    In a stubborn mood, Phoebe remained seated and replied in a firm voice, "Don''t you have hands?"


    "I do," Theodore responded confidently, "but you are my wife, and you should wait on me."


    Phoebe: "..." was dazzled by his audacity.


    How can anyone be so shameless?


    She got up and went to the kitchen to pour a bowl of steaming hot white porridge. The freshly cooked porridge emitted a tantalizing steam, increasing one''s appetite.


    Theodore lowered his head and took a sip, then glanced at Phoebe across the table.


    His gaze paused for a moment on the faint pink scar at the corner of her eye. He quickly looked away and cleared his throat. "It''s Mom''s birthday in a couple of days. What gift have you prepared?" Phoebe was taken aback.


    Theodore smirked and remarked, "You''ve been in the Reynolds family for three years, and Mom''s birthday comes every year. Don''t tell me you''ve never remembered her birthday."


    Phoebe felt guilty. It wasn''t that she forgot, but these past few days were just too busy, causing her to forget. "I''ll go buy something this afternoon."


    "Hmph!" Theodore scoffed, a smug expression on his face. Then he added, "Perfect, I haven''t prepared anything either. Let''s go together."


    Phoebe reluctantly agreed but the meaningful smug expression creeped her out. : "..."


    What''s with the smug smile?


    Phoebe felt a tightness in her chest and didn''t want to sit at the same table with him. She intended to finish her meal quickly and leave. However, in her haste, she ended up scalding herself with the piping boiling hot porridge. Before Theodore could say "careful", he saw her stick out her tongue, inhaling sharply. He was simultaneously annoyed and amused. "Why are you eating so fast? No one''s going to snatch it from you."


    He got up and poured a glass of cold water, handing it to her. Seeing her tongue sticking out as it cooled off, pink and delicate, unexpectedly made his heart beat faster.


    "Drink some cold water," Theodore said. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Phoebe quickly glanced at him, finding his voice somehow husky. She took the glass and gulped down a few sips.


    The burning sensation on her tongue subsided, leaving a slight numbness. She thanked him with a lowered head and continued to eat her breakfast.


    Theodore glanced at Phoebe from time to time. He hadn''t noticed before, but now he saw that there was gauze taped to the back of her hand. He asked, "What happened to your hand?"


    Phoebe glanced at the back of her right hand and remembered the fear and panic she felt when she was trampled. A sense of resentment rose involuntarily within her.


    She replied, repeating verbatim what Theodore had said in the office, "A small wound won''t kill me. It has already healed even without you asking."


    Theodore choked on his words and his face turned grim. The atmosphere became tense again, and they finished their breakfast in an awkward silence. Without waiting for her, Theodore left first.


    Their apartment was just across the street from the Reynolds Group building, in a very old neighborhood with top-notch security facilities.


    After they got married, they lived in the ReynoldsShen Mansion for a while. However, after Phoebe insisted on returning to work after her miscarriage, it was inconvenient to commute to the mansion from Monday to Friday. SoSo, Theodore bought this apartment near the company.


    The apartment was on the top floor, a spacious floor plan with bedrooms, a walk-in closet, a study, a functional room, and a living room. The layout was simple and compact, creating a cozy feeling of home.


    Phoebe tidied up the kitchen and went to work.


    In the afternoon, Theodore called her and asked her to wait for him in the underground parking lot. She had to leave her work behind and headed downstairs with her bag.


    As she stepped out of the elevator, she saw a black Maybach parked at the entrance. The passenger window rolled down, revealing an exquisite and unparalleled face.


    "Miss Ziegler, hurry and get in the car. We''ve been waiting for you," said Vanessa.


    Phoebe was taken aback as she hadn''t expected Vanessa to be in the car. She instinctively looked past her to the driver''s seat, only to see Theodore sitting there, as steady as a rock.


    Her gaze returned to Vanessa sitting in the passenger seat. She remembered a saying she had read before, that the passenger seat is always the exclusive seat for the wife.


    Although it was a rather melodramatic saying, seeing Vanessa sitting next to Theodore made her inexplicably uncomfortable.


    She sat in the back seat and heard Theodore''s displeased voice, "Taking your sweet time. If you don''t want to go, just say it. Don''t waste our time."


    "Theodore, don''t speak like that to Miss Ziegler," Vanessa said, shaking Theodore''s arm and speaking in a flirtatious coquettish tone. "Miss Ziegler is very busy. It''s already rare for her to make time to accompany us. Don''t blame her."

 Chapter 16

    This statement hit Theodore''s sore spot accurately, and he sneered, "Busy with what? Busy compared to me, her boss? It''s just a matter of whether she cares enough." Phoebe rolled her eyes, and Vanessa caught it.


    The two of them awkwardly locked eyes for two seconds before Vanessa was the first to look away and turn to Theodore.


    Compared to the tenderness and consideration she showed towards Phoebe, Theodore''s attitude towards her was extremely harsh. She had secretly delighted in their strained relationship as a married couple, but now a After spending several days together, she gradually discovered that things were not as they seemed. In these past few days, Theodore accompanied her to meet many friends, always showing restraint and politeness, never revealing a hint of sharpness or impatience. He was perfect, almost like a gentleman from a bygone era, but his perfection made him seem unreal and difficult to approach. It was as if he wore a mask, only showing his gentle and harmless side to others. But he would reveal his true and worst self to the closest people closest to him. He would freely lose his temper and be sarcastic. Because he knew that person would never truly be angry with him or leave him.


    This was a side of Theodore that she had never seen before, and because she had never seen it, she felt anxious and wanted to do something to exacerbate the conflict between them.


    "Miss Ziegler, Theodore told me that you will be my manager from now on. We don''t have each other''s contact information yet, so let''s exchange WeChat IDs," Vanessa said, turning to Phoebe and handing her the QR code on her phone. "Scan this."


    Phoebe had added the WeChat ID of other artists before, but she had never added Vanessa''s. It wasn''t because she was proud or timid, but because she felt that their relationship was delicate and it would be better to have less contact. She took out her phone and scanned the QR code, sending a friend request to Vanessa. Vanessa quickly accepted her request and saw her WeChat name, asking with a smile, "Is Mia your nickname?"


    Theodore''s heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly glanced at the rearview mirror. He had never added Phoebe on WeChat and didn''t know that her WeChat name was Mia. But the name "Mia" was too special to him. "No, I just randomly picked it," Phoebe replied.


    Actually, Mia was her nickname, but since her father passed away, no one in her family called her Mia anymore. When she got WeChat, she decided to use this name for herself.


    "Oh, really?" Vanessa sounded a bit disappointed. She casually glanced at Theodore and said, "I thought your nickname was also Mia."


    Unintentional words, but intentional listeners.


    Also?


    Phoebe''s heart started beating faster. "So, Miss Fitzroy''s nickname is Mia?"


    "Yes, before I went abroad, Theodore used to call me Mia. But since I came back, he hasn''t called me that anymore because he''s still mad at me," Vanessa said in a somewhat melancholic and resentful tone. Her voice, however, was very coquettish, like she was being cute with her boyfriend. "Theodore, why do you have such a temper?"


    Suddenly, there was a buzzing sound in Phoebe''s ears and her mind went blank. She couldn''t hear anything else.


    She suddenly recalled that night, when the drunken man held her, his alcohol-laden breath enveloping her, and he whispered gently in her ear, "Mia, don''t be afraid, I will cherish you."


    She had always thought that he knew her nickname and was calling her by it. But she never expected that throughout that entire night, he had been calling for Vanessa. The color drained from her face, and she looked extraordinarily fragile and pitiful.


    She didn''t know what to do next.


    It took a while before Phoebe finally heard Vanessa calling her, "Miss Ziegler, Miss Ziegler, we have arrived, let''s get off the car."


    Phoebe snapped out of her thoughts and found the car already parked in the mall''s underground parking lot. Theodore and Vanessa were standing outside, looking at her.


    She opened the door and got off the car, feeling a slight weakness in her legs as they touched the ground. A wide and sturdy hand reached out to support her waist. "Why do you look so pale? Did you get carsick?" Theodore looked at her almost translucent cheeks with a worried frown.


    Phoebe coldly brushed off his hand and said indifferently, "I''ve been sitting for too long, my legs are numb."


    Theodore regretted feeling sympathy for her. She was playing his own game with him. : "..."


    Vanessa had already put on a baseball cap, sunglasses, and a mask. She squeezed herself between the two of them and said enthusiastically, "Miss Ziegler, let me assist you."


    "No need." Phoebe shook her legs and walked briskly towards the elevator.


    Vanessa stood beside Theodore, looking at his gloomy and handsome face with somewhat disappointed tone, "Theodore, maybe I shouldn''t have come with you. It seems like Miss Ziegler isn''t very pleased." "Why do you care if she''s happy or not?" Theodore''s voice was still gentle, despite his frustrated mood. "If there''s anyone who should be happy, it should be youYou just need to be happy."


    Upon hearing this, Vanessa laughed, "Theodore, you can''t openly show favoritism towards me like this. I still want to get along well with Miss Ziegler."


    Phoebe, walking ahead, rolled her eyes at their chat. She had indeed overestimated Vanessa''s moral standards.


    It was as if she thought that if Phoebe was unhappy, she would make things difficult for her.


    "Rest assured," Theodore said. "Regardless of anything else, you can trust Phoebe''s professionalism. She won''t let personal emotions affect her work."


    Behind her sunglasses, Vanessa''s eyes flickered. Theodore''s evaluation of Phoebe was quite high, which explained why he had assigned her as the artistic director at QUEEN Entertainment Company. She had always thought that the QUEEN Entertainment Company was Theodore''s gift to her upon her return to the country. Now, she had to submit to Phoebe''s authority and be limited by her. Just the thought of it made her burn with envy and jealousy!


    Theodore had a reason for saying that. For the past three years, no matter how bad his relationship with Phoebe was, as soon as she put on her suit, she would transform into the professional and composed Ms. Ziegler. That kind version of Phoebe was actually quite charming.


    Therefore, he always wanted to tear apart the armor-like suit she wore and see the look of panic on her face.


    Only then could he sense a trace of humanity in her, rather than feeling like she was just an emotionless zombie. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They took the elevator up. As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, a strong fragrance overwhelmed them. The International Financial Center sparkled and everywhere was filled with the sinister scent of money. This place gathered luxury brands from all over the world.,


    Here, buying a bag casually would cost tens of thousands. Sales of luxurious items were soaring.


    In fact, buyingsending gifts forto Mrs. Reynolds was not a difficult task. She loved jewelry and handbags, especially limited editions, which was a common interest among wealthy women. When they gathered together, they would always compare jewelry and handbags, with no original topics to discuss.


    Six months ago, Phoebe had ordered a limited edition platinum Himalayan bag from Herm¨¨s, made with top-notch crocodile skin and adorned with sparkling diamonds. Expensive was an understatement for it. As the sales assistant brought out the bag and uncovered the dust bag, Phoebe''s eyes were nearly blinded. She was about to ask the assistant to pack it for her when Vanessa confidently spoke up, "I''ll take this bag."


    Phoebe squinted at Vanessa, wondering if she was trying to snatch it from her?

 Chapter 17

    "Miss Fitzroy, I apologize, but I ordered this bag half a year ago. If you like it, you can pre-order and have the sales assistant put you on the waiting list," Phoebe insisted, not giving an inch. Vanessa''s face expressed shock and heartbreak she pleaded with a pitiful tone, "But I really love this bag, Miss Ziegler. How about I offer double the price for you to give it to me?" "Sorry, Miss Fitzroy, this bag is priceless," Phoebe responded firmly.


    Seeing her unwavering attitude, Vanessa turned to Theodore with a helpless look, gently shaking his hand. "Theodore, I really love this bag. Can you ask Miss Ziegler to transfer it to me? I won''t let her suffer any losses. I can offer two or three times the price."


    Theodore furrowed his brows and looked at Phoebe. "Since Vanessa likes it, just let her have it. You don''t usually use this kind of bag anyway., Iit would be a waste."


    Phoebe''s gaze involuntarily fell on their intertwined hands, feeling a pang of discomfort in her heart. If Vanessa said she liked Theodore, would she have to give him up for her too?


    "This bag is a birthday gift I prepared for my mom." sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Theodore paused and glanced at the platinum bag. In the eyes of a typical man, there was not much difference between this bag and the ones his mom usually carried. They just had a few more diamonds. He said, "She already has many bags. This one won''t make a difference."


    Phoebe thought, could he be any more biased? Just to make Vanessa happy, he was even willing to snatch away the birthday gift she prepared for his mom.


    Earlier in the morning, he had taunted her at the dining table for not caring about his mom''s birthday. She thought he was so filial, but it turned out to be a double standard when facing someone he liked.


    "Fine, since you don''t care about your mom''s feelings, I have nothing more to say. Ah Sa, ILet Miss Fitzroy have this bag," Phoebe declared calmly.


    A sense of triumph flashed through Vanessa''s eyes. What she wanted to snatch was not just a bag, but Theodore''s concern for her. She wanted Phoebe to know that even if she


    She is now Theodore''s wife, and she will never surpass her position in Theodore''s heart. Her goal hads been achieved, so she didoesn''t need to be so obsessed with grabbing the bag, especially since Phoebe said that it is a birthday gift for Mrs. Reynolds. If she really snatches it away, Theodore may not say anything on the surface, but deep down he will blame her for being thoughtless. And when it reaches Mrs. Reynolds'' ears, she will also harbor dissatisfaction towards her.


    "I didn''t know this was meant to be a gift for Aunt, Miss Ziegler. Your taste is really good, just like mine. We both set our eyes on the same bag," Vanessa hinted.


    Phoebe caught the underlying meaning in her words and smirked ironically, "Miss Fitzroy has good taste indeed, but she just doesn''t know how to appreciate it."


    Vanessa pursed her lips and turned to Theodore, "Theodore, why don''t you give this bag to Miss Ziegler? Come with me to see something else."


    "Sure," Theodore glanced at Phoebe and took Vanessa to browse the exhibition area.


    Phoebe sneered in her heart.


    What a hypocrite.


    She was the one who initially tried to snatch it away, and now it turned into her generously giving it to her. This is really unheard of.


    From afar, she heard Vanessa''s gentle voice, "... Herm¨¨s products are hard to come by, especially limited edition ones. I heard that Miss Ziegler comes from an ordinary family, and it is quite unexpected for her to buy such an expensive bag as a gift for Aunt."


    Vanessa implied that Theodore Phoebe came from a poor background, and she bought this expensive gift for Mrs. Reynolds to boost her own image using Theodore''s money. Vanity.


    Theodore casually responded, "Is that so?"


    "Well, the bag itself, along with the matching accessories, would cost at least several million. Miss Ziegler is really generous," Vanessa said acidly.


    It''s not that she has a small mindset, she just wonders why Phoebe has the audacity to occupy her place and sleep with the man she deeply loves, spending the fortune that should belong to her.


    Just the thought of how Phoebe entered the scene right after she left, Vanessa was itching with hatred.


    Since then, she knew that Phoebe was not someone to be taken lightly.


    Theodore accompanied Vanessa for a stroll in Herm¨¨s, but she didn''t find anything she liked. Mrs. Reynolds'' fiftieth birthday was approaching, so she naturally had to prepare a gift for her. However, with Phoebe owning that platinum bag encrusted with pearls, anything she bought would be lacking in comparison.


    While Theodore went out to take a phone call, Vanessa approached Phoebe, who was about to pay the bill. With a strange tone, Vanessa said, "Miss Ziegler is really generous. This platinum bag with all the accessories would cost at least three million hundred..."


    Phoebe and Vanessa stood facing each other, discussing Phoebe''s extravagant purchase of an expensive bag. Phoebe brushed off Vanessa''s critique, stating that she could always earn more money. Vanessa, however, was skeptical and accused Phoebe of using the excuse of buying a gift for her aunt as an opportunity to splurge show off on herself. Vanessa then proceeded to scrutinize Phoebe''s appearance, expecting her to be dressed in designer clothing, only to be disappointed when she realized Phoebe was wearing ordinary brands.


    Not interested in engaging in further conversation, Phoebe pointed to Theodore, who had just finished a phone call and entered the room, proclaiming that he was the one wearing an Herm¨¨s suit and carrying expensive items. To support her argument, Phoebe waved her bank card in front of Vanessa, proudly stating that she had not spent any of Theodore''s money.


    Vanessa''s face turned unattractively sour, and she expressed doubt, questioning how Phoebe could afford such an expensive bag after only working for a short time. Phoebe curtly replied that Vanessa was ignorant of the different methods of increasing one''s wealth aside from a fixed salary, such as investments. Phoebe then put her bank card back inside her bag.


    Theodore, who owned a venture capital company, always listened attentively when his employees reported their work progress. Phoebe would carefully observe and follow their stock market activities, making small profits from her transactions. She had never mentioned this money to anyone, choosing to save it for future needs.


    As Theodore stood in front of them, Vanessa glared at him with eyes brimming with tears. Earlier that morning, Vanessa had admired his suit, unaware that it was a gift from Phoebe. It felt like a slap in the face. "What''s wrong?" Theodore asked.


    Vanessa took a step forward, clutching his arm, and gently requested, "Theodore, I''d like to buy a few clothes. Will you accompany me?"


    "Sure," Theodore replied, turning to Phoebe. "If you''re finished shopping, you don''t have to come with us. I''ll accompany Vanessa." "Okay," Phoebe responded.


    As she watched them leave together, Phoebe suddenly felt a pang of sadness. Theodore''s whole heart and attention seemed to be fixated on his first love. While Phoebe had initially encouraged this, why did watching them together now cause her heart to ache?


    Could it be that... she liked him?


    The thought scared Phoebe, draining all color from her face. No, how could she possibly develop feelings for a man who was already committed to someone else?

 Chapter 18

    On her way back home, Phoebe received a call from Mrs. Reynolds.


    "Are you home? I''ll be coming over in a bit to bring you some local specialties from a friend and let Auntie cook something nourishing for both of you," Mrs. Reynolds said over the phone.


    Before Phoebe had a chance to refuse, Mrs. Reynolds hung up. She was always busy and rarely considered other people''s feelings. Since she had said she was coming, Phoebe hurried home. When she arrived at the apartment building, Mr. Mrs. Reynolds was already waiting there.


    "Has the access code to your house changed again?" Mrs. Reynolds, dressed in a wine-red dress and high heels, looked imposing.


    Phoebe quickly pressed the code. "It was changed by Mr. Reynolds himself."


    Speaking of changing the code, Phoebe felt quite embarrassed.


    There was a time when the cleaning lady forgot her phone and came back to retrieve it, only to catch them together. This incident caused Theodore to have a serious psychological shadow.


    He not only fired the cleaning lady but also changed the code, not allowing strangers to freely enter their home.


    At times, compared to his casual behavior with her, he was a man who highly valued his privacy.


    "Do you always call Theodore Mr. Reynolds?" Mrs. Reynolds had never heard her call him that before, and she found it quite interesting.


    Phoebe: "..."


    The door beeped, and Phoebe quickly let Mrs. Reynolds in, then moved the pile of boxes at the door inside. The boxes were quite heavy, and she placed them on the shoe cabinet, then brought a pair of slippers for Mrs. Reynolds. "The boxes are so heavy, Mom, did you bring us something good?" Phoebe asked.


    "It''s nothing rare, just some free-range chickens raised by my friend''s relatives and some eggs."


    Mrs. Reynolds changed into the slippers and walked inside. Her eyes swept over the orange paper bag Phoebe was holding and she said, "Did you go shopping today?"


    "Yes," Phoebe had originally planned to give it to Mrs. Reynolds on the day before her birthday, but considering that her birthday was only a few days away, she handed the paper bag to Mrs. Reynolds. "Mom, this is the birthday gift I bought for you. Please have a look and see if you like it." S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Mrs. Reynolds often went shopping at Herm¨¨s, and from the size of the paper bag, she knew what was inside. She eagerly took it and couldn''t wait to unpack it.


    "It''s a gift from my daughter-in-law, no matter what it is, I will be happy." Mrs. Reynolds opened the box and took out a shiny platinum bag. She smiled so much that her mouth almost reached her ears.


    "Phoebe, you are so thoughtful. I heard that this bag is not easy to buy, only a few were produced worldwide." Mrs. Reynolds truly loved bags. She held it in her hands and looked left and right, completely infatuated. Phoebe saw how much she liked it, and the burden on her heart finally lifted. "I''m glad you like it."


    "I love it!, I really love it." Mrs. Reynolds said. "Phoebe, quickly take a few pictures of me, I want to show off on my social media."


    Phoebe took out her phone and snapped a few pictures for her. Mrs. Reynolds sat beside her and they looked at the photos together. As soon as she saw the photos, she was stunned. "Phoebe, have you studied photography?" Chapter 19 Chapter 19


    Mrs. Reynolds'' birthday had arrived in the blink of an eye, and her birthday banquet was held at the ReynoldsSheng Mansion as it was every year. They had hired the top chef team in the country to prepare a sumptuous feast. Chapter 5: Unexpected Encounter


    Recently, Phoebe had been feeling down and couldn''t seem to muster any enthusiasm. During breakfast, Mrs. Reynolds noticed the dark circles under her eyes and furrowed her brow, asking, "Phoebe, did you not sleep well last night?"


    On this particular day, everyone was present, all eyes fixed on her. Phoebe felt extremely awkward and blurted out, "I''m fine, I must have just slept in a bad position."


    "Next time, look for your big brother," Christopher gestured towards Theodore, "He knows massage therapy. Let him give you a stretch."


    "You know massage therapy?" Phoebe looked at Theodore in amazement.


    "I know a little," Theodore put down his chopsticks, his gaze complex. "Let me take a look later."


    Phoebe gawked at him in amazement. The man was full of surprises.: "..."


    She never expected Theodore to actually have learned massage therapy. As the CEO of a multinational corporation with countless responsibilities, why would he bother learning such a skill? Phoebe was genuinely curious. After finishing breakfast, Phoebe and Theodore went back to their room.


    In the bedroom on the third floor, Phoebe sat nervously on the couch. She watched as Theodore took off his suit jacket and draped it over the back of the couch. He unfastened his cufflinks, rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong forearms. Phoebe nervously licked her lips and saw him walking towards her. Her heart raced, as she had only casually made up the story earlier. Now, she was hesitant and unsure of how to proceed. "When did you learn massage therapy?" "When you were pregnant," Theodore said.

 Chapter 19

    Mrs. Reynolds'' birthday had arrived in the blink of an eye, and her birthday banquet was held at the ReynoldsSheng Mansion as it was every year. They had hired the top chef team in the country to prepare a sumptuous feast.


    Recently, Phoebe had been feeling down and couldn''t seem to muster any enthusiasm. During breakfast, Mrs. Reynolds noticed the dark circles under her eyes and furrowed her brow, asking, "Phoebe, did you not sleep well last night?" On this particular day, everyone was present, all eyes fixed on her. Phoebe felt extremely awkward and blurted out, "I''m fine, I must have just slept in a bad position."


    "Next time, look for your big brother," Christopher gestured towards Theodore, "He knows massage therapy. Let him give you a stretch."


    "You know massage therapy?" Phoebe looked at Theodore in amazement.


    "I know a little," Theodore put down his chopsticks, his gaze complex. "Let me take a look later."


    Phoebe gawked at him in amazement. The man was full of surprises.: "..."


    She never expected Theodore to actually have learned massage therapy. As the CEO of a multinational corporation with countless responsibilities, why would he bother learning such a skill? Phoebe was genuinely curious. After finishing breakfast, Phoebe and Theodore went back to their room.


    In the bedroom on the third floor, Phoebe sat nervously on the couch. She watched as Theodore took off his suit jacket and draped it over the back of the couch. He unfastened his cufflinks, rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong forearms. Phoebe nervously licked her lips and saw him walking towards her. Her heart raced, as she had only casually made up the story earlier. Now, she was hesitant and unsure of how to proceed. "When did you learn massage therapy?" "When you were pregnant," Theodore said. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Phoebe was dumbfounded. "What?"


    Theodore propped one leg on the couch beside her, placed one hand on her shoulder, and used the other hand to support the back of her head. "Just relax."


    Phoebe didn''t have time to think. Her back was against the man''s chest, and his warm body temperature seeped through their thin clothes. She caught a whiff of a scent mixed with hormones and mint.


    Her mind went blank, feeling his hands applying pressure on both sides. For a moment, she thought he was going to separate her head from her neck.


    After a while, he moved to the other side, continuing the pressure. When he felt she had been stretched enough, he withdrew his hands.


    The panic subsided, and Phoebe gently turned her neck, supporting it with her hand. She wasn''t sure if the stiffness in her neck had completely disappeared, but her shoulders and neck felt much better. "It seems to have worked," she said.


    Theodore glanced at her and said, "Your shoulders and neck were very stiff. You should stretch more often."


    "In that case, could you help me with some stretching?" Phoebe blurted out without thinking, surprising not only Theodore but herself as well.


    In the past, aside from their intimate encounters, they had never had any physical contact. She always tried to avoid it. But now, she had actually taken the initiative to ask him for assistance.


    "If it''s inconvenient for you..." she trailed off, but before she could finish her sentence, her shoulders were enveloped by a pair of warm, broad palms. She immediately straightened her posture, her whole body tensing up. Theodore narrowed his eyes slightly, his thumb pressing on her shoulder.


    Deltoid, "Relax a bit, your shoulders are too tense."


    Whether it was the force he applied or accidentally touched the wrong spot, Phoebe shivered, and her cheeks quickly turned bright red. The flush of red spread to the back of her ears, even coloring her neck. Theodore lowered his gaze, his breathing becoming somewhat heavy, and his eyes turned fierce, like a fierce beast in dire need of food, with bloodshot eyes.


    Phoebe''s heart was in turmoil, her mind blank. She tried several times to say something, to ease this ambiguous and fiery atmosphere at the moment, but she didn''t know what to say.


    Theodore said he learned massage when she was pregnant. She vaguely remembered how difficult it was during her pregnancy. Her legs began to swell after five months, and she would experience leg cramps at night, making it difficult to sleep.


    One night, when she was awakened once again by the pain, her legs were enveloped in warm arms. Theodore sat cross-legged on the bed, awkwardly massaging her calves, relieving the tense muscles.


    Afterwards, every night when she was in pain, he would massage her for a while until she fell back to sleep.


    Now, reflecting on this past, Phoebe finally understood how much he had longed for the arrival of that child and how much he now resented her.


    Phoebe felt a surge of impulse, wanting to confess her feelings to him. Even if it was too late, she wanted to fight for it. "Theodore, I..."


    "Knock, knock!" The sound of knocking interrupted Phoebe''s words. The door was pushed open, and Madison, wearing a pink dress, walked in. " TheodoreBig brother, Mr. FitzroyUncle Jian and Mrs. FitzroyAunt Jian are here. Mom asked me to come and get you."


    Theodore withdrew his hand, his brows and eyes returning to their usual coldness. Only a lingering trace of deep desire remained in his eyes. He said, "I''ll go down now."


    Phoebe watched as he refastened his shirt cufflinks. She felt anxious and irritated for the first time, finding Madison very annoying.


    She saw him go to get his suit jacket and quickly reached out, taking the suit in her arms first.


    Theodore looked at her in surprise, "Phoebe?"


    Phoebe bit her lip and inexplicably felt a hint of grievance. Ignoring Madison''s presence, she said, "Theodore, there''s something I want to tell you."


    "Sister-in-law, can''t you say it later? There are guests waiting for big brother downstairs." Madison impatiently looked at her.


    Theodore glanced warningly at Madison, and when he saw her sullenly turn her head away, he looked back at Phoebe, his tone somewhat gentle. "Phoebe, go ahead. I''m listening." Tears welled up in Phoebe''s eyes as she had many things she wanted to say. She wanted to ask him if, in these three years, he had even the slightest bit of affection for her.


    If she confessed her love for him, would he be willing to come back to her? Could they start over?


    But just as she was about to speak, she saw Vanessa appear at the doorway of their bedroom. She was wearing a fiery red dress, which accentuated her fair skin.


    She suddenly remembered that day in the square when she saw Theodore''s heated gaze.


    PhoebeVanessa stared at Vanessa on the stage with intensity and focus, and the impulse in her heart disappeared in an instant.


    She took a step back and retreated to a safe zone, her voice laced with bitterness, "I have nothing to say, go accompany the guests."


    Theodore furrowed his brows. He had hoped that she would say something after seeing how desperate she was just now.


    Now that his expectations had been shattered, disappointment and fatigue filled his heart. He didn''t even bother to take his suit jacket and simply turned and walked out the door.


    "Theodore, wait for me." Vanessa chased after him, and the sound of their footsteps gradually faded away.


    Madison looked at Phoebe with arrogance and said, "Phoebe, don''t think you can play any tricks. Vanessa is back, and my big brother is definitely going to divorce you and reconcile with Vanessa. If I were you, I would take the initiative to get a divorce instead of waiting to be kicked out by my big brother."


    Phoebe looked sorrowful as she sat down on the sofa and looked at Madison, "Do you really want me to divorce your brother?"

 Chapter 20

    Phoebe looked sorrowful as she sat down on the sofa and looked at Madison, "Do you really want me to divorce your brother?"


    "Of course. My big brother is a shining star among men, only a woman as brilliant as Vanessa deserves him." Madison said with a smug face.


    Phoebe curled her lips lightly, "Madison, if I were you, I would hope that I never divorce your brother, and we would stay together until death, so that you have a chance to be with the person you like." Madison widened her eyes, her cheeks turning red, feeling exposed, "What...what are you talking about? I don''t understand. I don''t want to talk to you."


    After speaking, she hurriedly ran out.


    Phoebe felt suffocated in her chest, so she decided to go out and get some fresh air. She got up and went to the second-floor terrace.


    Vanessa followed Theodore downstairs, "Theodore, maybe I shouldn''t have gone upstairs to look for you just now. I saw Miss Ziegler seemed to have something to say to you."


    Theodore''s eyes were cold and stern, his face filled with dark clouds, "What could she have to say to me?"


    Vanessa was choked by his words and instinctively slowed down her footsteps, stopping on the stairs.


    She watched his figure disappear around the corner of the staircase.


    She had never seen Theodore so irritatedble and angry before. If she hadn''t appeared just now, what would Phoebe have said to him? What was he expecting Phoebe to say? From Phoebe''s expression when she looked at Theodore just now, it was clear that she was movedin love. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have looked at him with such admiring and fiery eyes. And Theodore?


    He had been with Phoebe for three years, living and spending every day together. It was impossible for him to have no feelings for her.


    After all, even if you have a cat or a dog by your side for three years, you will develop feelings, let alone a living person.


    Vanessa clenched her fists tightly, her exquisite face contorted.


    No, she had to come up with a plan to force them to divorce as soon as possible.


    Phoebe stood on the terrace, with the summer breeze blowing through her long hair. She gazed at the distant green mountains and slowly released the welled pent-up frustration in her heart. Downstairs was the swimming pool, where the servants were busy setting up string lights. The birthday party would be held here in the evening.


    "Miss Ziegler, you are quite difficult to find," a voice called out.


    Phoebe turned her head and saw Vanessa walking towards her, gracefully and confidently. She furrowed her brows. For some reason, she had a feeling that Vanessa had purposely sought her out to stir up trouble. "What does Miss Fitzroy want with me?" Phoebe asked.


    Vanessa got straight to the point, "Let''s talk about Theodore."


    "Hmm."


    Vanessa rested her hands on the railing, her eyes focused on the shimmering pool. A bold plan had already taken shape in her mind.


    She calmly began, "Theodore and I were childhood sweethearts. We had a deep affection for each other, just like you and Edward. Because of this special bond, we understood each other better and liked each other more than anyone else." Phoebe''s hand at her side instinctively clenched into a fist. She had to admit that Vanessa was intelligent, as she immediately established an emotional connection with her.


    "In the past, I rashly broke up with him to go to Poland to study piano. It hurt him deeply, so that night, when he was drunk, he mistook you for me and had the interactiona relationship with you."


    What a phrase "mistook you for me," it truly stabbed at her heart! S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Phoebe tightly pursed her red lips. "Miss Fitzroy, what exactly are you trying to say?"


    "Miss Ziegler, I did not mean to imply that you were a substitute for me. I am only lamenting how fate plays its tricks. Back then, you and Edward were an admired couple at the Imperial University, but who would have thought that you would end up marrying Theodore."


    Vanessa''s words were like sharp blades, piercing Phoebe''s heart with each word.


    Unfazed by Phoebe''s pale complexion, Vanessa continued, "Because of the absurdity of that night for all four of us, we have been living in pain. Phoebe, do you regret not resisting him with all your might back then?"


    "I...," Phoebe''s lips trembled, "I did resist."


    "Then you certainly did not resist with all youryou might," Vanessa''s gaze shot like an arrow towards her, "Or perhaps, when he called you ''Mia,'' you gave up struggling."


    Phoebe''s face turned ashen. "No, it''s not like that."


    At that time, Theodore pressed down on her, heavy like a mountain. Her struggles were like a mosquito trying to shake a tree. S; she couldn''t budge him at all.


    "You did, Phoebe. When did you start liking Theodore? Was it three years ago, or even earlier? Maybe you coveted him even when you were with Edward, didn''t you?" Suddenly, Vanessa became particularly sharp, bombarding Phoebe with a series of probing questions, causing her to take a few steps back.


    "No!"


    Vanessa sneered and her expression was filled with mockery.


    "Since it''s not true, why were you planning to confess to him just now?" Vanessa said, a little madly.


    "I..." Phoebe was speechless. She knew Vanessa was mixing up the topic, but she couldn''t argue back because she really wanted to confess to Theodore earlier.


    Vanessa chuckled softly, "It''s okay, Phoebe. He''s such an excellent man, it''s abnormal for you not to like him."


    Phoebe was out of words. She decided to ignore her. : "..."


    She felt that Vanessa had gone crazy and turned around to leave.


    Behind her came Vanessa''s teeth-gritting voice, "Phoebe, what if I jump from here and tell Theodore that you pushed me down? Do you think he would believe it?"


    Phoebe quickly turned around and saw that Vanessa was sitting on the railing at some point. Her legs were dangling outside the railing, only her hands gripping onto it. It looked very dangerous, as if she could fall at any moment. Phoebe''s heart raced, and she hurriedly ran back. "Vanessa, you''re insane! Come down from there, don''t joke about your own life."


    Vanessa suddenly grabbed her, her smile becoming somewhat sinister like a venomous snake sticking out its tongue. "I''m not joking about my own life. Will he believe you, will you come?"


    Phoebe glared at her, gritting her teeth, wanting to push her hand away but also afraid she would fall. She could only hold onto Vanessa tightly. "What exactly do you want to do?"


    Vanessa said, "You can''t swim either, right? I just want to know, if the two of us jumped at the same time, who would Theodore save first? Phoebe, if Theodore saves me first, you''ll give up." "Why should I play such a boring game with you?"


    "Because you have no choice!" After Vanessa finished speaking, she suddenly pulled Phoebe forcefully towards the edge of the railing. Phoebe was pulled out of the railing by the force of her gravity, and the two of them fell from the second floor, landing heavily into the swimming pool.


    "Plunk, plunk" two sounds, countless water splashes were stirred up in the pool.


    Phoebe vaguely heard someone screaming, and she struggled desperately in the water.


    Water surrounded her, pouring into her mouth and nose.


    Phoebe''s most fatal weakness was that she couldn''t swim.


    She floated and sank in the swimming pool, suffocating fear gradually enveloping her.


    Suddenly, she saw a familiar tall figure jump into the water.--


    Was it him?


    Would he... save her or Vanessa?

 Chapter 21

    That agile figure approached her closer and closer...


    She reached out her hand, wanting to grab onto him, but he swam past her.


    In the state of floating and sinking, she saw him carrying the drenched Vanessa towards the shore, getting farther and farther away from her. That back figure was so firm and decisive.


    In that moment, her body lost all strength, and she no longer had the energy to struggle. She slowly sank to the bottom of the pool... Many people gathered around the pool, all exclaiming in shock. They saw Theodore carrying Vanessa back to the shore and quickly reaching out to help her up. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fi


    TTheodore and his wife, the FitTzroy family, knelt by Vanessa''s unconscious body. "Vanessa, Vanessa, wake up..."


    Theodore gasped for breath as he looked at the unconscious and unresponsive Vanessa. Just as he was about to administer first aid, he heard someone shout, "The young mistress has sunk! Why isn''t anyone saving her? She can''t swim!" The onlookers gasped collectively, and Theodore quickly turned his head. There was no sign of struggle on the shimmering water''s surface.


    His heart sank, and he plunged into the water with a powerful dive.


    The sunlight refracted into the water, and he saw Phoebe, motionless like a lifeless doll, sinking slowly to the bottom of the pool.


    His heart raced, and he swam quickly to Phoebe''s side, lifting her up and kicking towards the surface.


    When Phoebe was rescued, Vanessa had already coughed up water and regained consciousness.


    On her pale face, it was unclear whether it was pool water or tears as she cried while looking at Theodore emerging from the swimming pool. "Theodore, I almost thought I wouldn''t see you again..."


    She knew she had won. Theodore had saved her first.


    But Theodore didn''t look at her. He laid Phoebe flat on the grass and began performing CPR, artificial respiration, repeatedly, dozens of times.


    Just when everyone thought Phoebe was beyond saving, she suddenly coughed up two mouthfuls of water.


    "She''s fine now, she''s fine once she''s expelled the water." The crowd breathed a sigh of relief, and Mrs. Reynolds was still trembling in fear. "Thank goodness, quickly call an ambulance."


    Phoebe''s face turned pale. After spitting out the water, her eyes slowly opened a crack, weakly seeing Theodore''s anxious gaze.


    She gently tugged at the corner of her lips and lost consciousness once more.


    ***


    Two days later, Phoebe woke up in the hospital. The sunlight shone through the glass window in the late afternoon, dazzling.


    There was no one else in the hospital ward besides her.


    She stared at the floating dust in the air for a while, not knowing what she was thinking, or perhaps she wasn''t thinking anything at all, just lost in thought.


    Then, the hospital room door was pushed open.


    Phoebe''s eyelashes trembled, but she didn''t look at the person entering until she heard the voice of Mrs. Reynolds. "Phoebe, you''re awake. Thank goodness. We''ve been so worried these past two days." Phoebe turned her head and saw Mrs. Reynolds looking at her with concern. For some reason, a sense of disappointment washed over her.


    Phoebe''s voice was still hoarse, a remnant of swallowing water. "I''m sorry, Mother, for worrying you. Your birthday celebration..."


    Mrs. Reynolds pulled a chair over and sat by the bedside. She looked at Phoebe and said, "As long as you''re okay, there''s no need to worry about anything else." Phoebe bit her lip and remained silent.


    Mrs. Reynolds grabbed an apple.


    The apple was washed and sat down. As she peeled the apple, she said, "How did you and Vanessa fall from the second floor that day?"


    There was no surveillance on the terrace, and the servants by the pool did not notice any movement upstairs. When the two fell into the pool, they were both startled. She had asked Vanessa about it, but Vanessa didn''t say anything, just red-eyed.


    Phoebe gently closed her eyes, recalling Vanessa''s frantic appearance that day. Even now, she still felt scared in her heart. Vanessa would do anything for Theodore. Clearly, she had won.

 Chapter 22

    At that time, she was closest to Theodore, but he chose to save Vanessa first. After all, she was his beloved, the moonlight he had loved for more than ten years.


    If it were her, she would also save the person she liked first.


    Choosing between two options has always been such a cruel and real choice.


    Seeing this, Mrs. Reynolds sighed silently, "Both of you refuse to speak. Was it arranged in advance or is there something you can''t say?"


    Phoebe shook her head, "Mom, please don''t ask."


    "Ah, what a sad fate." Mrs. Reynolds cut the peeled apple into pieces and placed them on a small tray in front of her. "If you don''t want to say, I won''t force you, but there won''t be a next time, understand?" "Yes."


    Just because Mrs. Reynolds didn''t pursue further didn''t mean Theodore would let it go that easily.


    After Mrs. Reynolds left, Phoebe lay on the hospital bed and stared at the sunset outside the window for a while.


    In the end, she dragged her weak body out of bed and went to the bathroom. She planned to go out for a walk, not wanting to stay alone in this cold hospital room.


    In the garden downstairs from the ward, family members accompanied the patients for a walk. Except for her, eEveryone passing by couldn''t help but glance at her.


    Phoebe was wearing a hospital gown, her frail body unable to hold itself up, appearing haggard.


    She stood by the lake for a while and felt someone standing behind her.


    She turned her head and saw Vanessa standing there, wearing a man''s suit jacket. She was familiar with that jacket, one of the many items she had chosen when buying platinum bags for Mrs. Reynolds. If she had known this jacket would be worn by Vanessa to disgust her, she wouldn''t have even boughtuy it for a dog.


    She looked at her almost numbly, chestnut curls cascading down her shoulders, with delicate eyebrows and a glamorous appearance that made people feel pity.


    "I won," Vanessa said, looking at Phoebe''s cold and aloof demeanor, suddenly smug, as if boasting, and tightened the suit on her body. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Phoebe had just escaped from death and didn''t want to get entangled with her any further. She turned around and was about to leave.


    Vanessa blocked her path, looking at her pale face, the hospital gown swaying on her slender body, and her smile becoming even more enchanting.


    She approached Phoebe, full of pride, and said,:


    "Miss Ziegler, don''t you recognize me?"


    Phoebe felt a pang of pain when she heard Vanessa''s words. "Theodore has always loved me, even though you were closer to him. He chose to save me." Her eyes bore a cold expression.


    "What does your three-year marriage amount to when compared to our love that has lasted for over a decade? Despite that, you still stubbornly hold onto him?" Vanessa''s words struck Phoebe''s heart.


    She knew exactly what to say to hurt Phoebe the most and make her give up her feelings for Theodore. Phoebe clenched her fists tightly. "You are despicable!"


    Vanessa smiled with pleasure. "Miss Ziegler, you should thank me. If I didn''t do this, how would you have realized Theodore''s feelings for me and turned back on your feelings for him?"


    "Do you know how painful it is to fall in love with someone who can never love you back? I''m actually helping you."


    Phoebe had never encountered such shameless and audacious woman before. She fumed with anger, her chest heaving. "Vanessa, where do you draw the line? Do you even know that I almost died because of you?"


    Vanessa suddenly looked behind Phoebe and lowered her voice. "Wouldn''t it be better if you died? From ex-wife to deceased wife, it would resolve many unnecessary entanglements."


    Phoebe''s pupils trembled. Without thinking, she reached out to push Vanessa away. But to her surprise, she didn''t touch her, and Vanessa fell onto the cobblestone path.


    "Ah... it hurts so much!" Vanessa moaned pitifully.


    Phoebe was about to tell her to stop pretending, but then a dark voice sounded behind her. "Phoebe, what are you doing?"

 Chapter 23

    A gust of wind rushed by Phoebe as Theodore strode past her, moving with such speed that she was knocked to one side.


    Already frail, Phoebe stumbled back against the rough bark of a tree, a sharp pain shooting through her back.


    Her complexion grew even paler as she steadied herself against a willow, only to look up and see Theodore crouching in front of Vanessa. Phoebe watched the scene unfold with a cold detachment, feeling like a fool out of place.


    Vanessa was manipulative and deceitful, but it was effective. Seeing Theodore''s worried expression, Phoebe knew she was utterly defeated. "Theodore, it hurts so much," Vanessa whined, seemingly fragile and petite in his presence, far from the dazzling force she portrayed to the world. And the man fell for it every time.


    A sharp stone had cut her palm, blood gushing forth a slight furrow of her brow enough to elicit his sympathy.


    "Just hang in there, I''ll take you to the doctor." S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He helped Vanessa to her feet and, glancing at Phoebe standing coldly aside, he said firmly, "Go back to your room, I''ll come to check on you later." Phoebe turned away, ignoring his words.


    It wasn''t until Theodore left with Vanessa that Phoebe let out a derisive laugh. She turned and continued along the lakeshore path.


    A few steps later, she stopped at the sight of pristine black dress shoes.


    Looking up, she saw Edward.


    The light in her eyes dimmed rapidly as she asked wearily, "What are you doing here?"


    "I heard about your accident in the pool and came to see you. You''re very pale, Phoebe. Let me take you back," Edward said.


    Dressed in an exquisite black suit, his tall and lean figure exuded an understated elegance, his eyes radiating gentle concern.


    He was young, handsome, and undeniably distinguished, just his presence displayed an air of refined grace.


    "I''d rather walk," Phoebe murmured.


    "Fine, I''ll walk with you." He took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders as he regarded her slender figure.


    Startled, she began to remove the jacket to hand it back, but Edward gently pressed her shoulders, "Keep it on, you look too fragile."


    Her heart softened, and her eyes warmed unbeknownst to her.


    They walked together along the lake, maintaining a respectful distance. The setting sun filtered through the buildings, stretching their shadows long on the path.


    Edward''s hand rested casually in his pocket. After three years, this was the first time he had walked shoulder to shoulder with Phoebe at dusk, and he was filled with a profound sense of happiness. He felt utterly content.


    "Phoebe, do you remember our high school''s class president, Zach? He just tied the knot last month, finished up an eight-year romance with the prom queen," Edward said.


    Mention of an old classmate sent Phoebe into a sense of nostalgic displacement.


    "They sent me an invitation, but I was swamped with work and couldn''t make it. Did you?" she asked softly.


    Zach had been one of Edward''s high school buddies. Surely he would have attended Zach''s wedding, but her absence was a deliberate avoidance.


    "I did, and they kept asking about you. They were really bummed you couldn''t be there," Edward paused before adding, "Back in high school, we used to talk about having a joint wedding someday." Phoebe looked down. "They''re happy together, aren''t they?"

 Chapter 24

    "Yeah, Zach couldn''t stop grinning during the ceremony. When it was time for his vows, he was bawling harder than anyone. Poor guy was terrified of losing her." Phoebe felt a pang in her heart from Edward''s last comment.


    She felt she owed an apology to Edward.


    She had thought her love for Edward was unwavering, but now she was secretly falling for Theodore, the same man who had once assaulted her.


    Perhaps even the heavens couldn''t bear to watch, so they sent Vanessa to torment her.


    "Edward, I want to go back," Phoebe said.


    Edward''s fingers curled in his pocket. He turned to look at Phoebe''s pale profile and nodded gently. "Alright, let''s get you home."


    *


    Stepping out of the elevator, they spotted Theodore supporting Vanessa down the corridor.


    They made a striking couple together.


    Phoebe looked down, noticing the bandage on Vanessa''s hand; knowing the importance of her hands to her piano playing, Phoebe understood the significance of the injury. Yet, Vanessa was willing to sacrifice them just to set a trap for her.


    Vanessa''s face lit up with a smile upon seeing Edward standing by Phoebe - as if fortune itself had walked right up to her.


    "Mr. Vanderbilt, what brings you to the hospital? Did you come especially to see Miss Ziegler?" Vanessa asked with a sly grin, resembling a cunning fox. Vanessa''s words visibly darkened Theodore''s mood as he noticed the men''s jacket draped over Phoebe''s shoulders, his gaze growing more ominous.


    "Phoebe, come here!" he demanded, his tone revealing the extent of his irritation.


    Phoebe pressed her lips together, staying put. She slid the jacket off her shoulders and handed it to Edward, "Thanks for bringing me back, Edward." S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Edward reached out to take it, his fingers brushed hers, and he gripped the jacket. "No need to thank me. Get some rest."


    The scene playing out in front of Theodore ignited a fierce blaze of rage within him, as if his jealousy had completely taken the reins of reason. Striding forward, he grasped Phoebe''s wrist and began dragging her towards the hospital room. "Theodore..." Vanessa hadn''t expected such an extreme reaction from him; his eyes were bloodshot, he looked like a husband catching a cheater red-handed.


    Edward couldn''t just stand by as Theodore manhandled Phoebe. He grabbed her other wrist, "Theodore, don''t go too far!"


    Forced to halt, Theodore turned, his gaze sweeping over the pale wrist clasped in Edward''s grip. A tumultuous irritability surged within him, a vicious desire to shatter that intrusive hand.


    His voice was icily menacing, "Get your filthy hands off her."


    Edward, known for his equanimity and elegance, almost never lost his cool. Yet even he couldn''t contain his anger against Theodore''s hostile behavior.


    "Who''s the dirty one here, really? Don''t you have a clue?" Edward shot back.


    Theodore seethed with resentment; he''d long disliked Edward''s refined facade, mistaking it for true virtue when in his eyes, Edward was nothing more than a contemptible man coveting another''s wife. "Let. Her. Go!"


    Caught in the middle of this dramatic tug-of-war, Phoebe had never imagined she''d be the crux of such a scene. The struggle only worsened her frail state, her complexion turning a frightening shade of ghostly pale. "Let me go," she said weakly.


    Vanessa, looking on, was nearly apoplectic with frustration. What kind of charm did Phoebe possess to make these two supposedly distinguished men turn on each other with such animosity?

 Chapter 25

    Theodore''s glare became incendiary, his patience exhausted. Clenching his fists, he threw a punch aimed straight for Edward''s face.


    Edward, not one to back down, had harbored his own grievances toward Theodore. He''d stolen the woman Edward adored, only to treat her with disdain, a level of arrogant entitlement that gnawed at him. Like two enraged beasts, they dove into battle, avoiding Phoebe yet consumed by their fight. It was a ferocious exchange of fists and feet, each blow landing with raw force. Soon, both men sported the marks of their clash.


    Phoebe stood petrified, witnessing their desperate struggle, unable to comprehend how things had escalated to this point.


    "Phoebe, what are you waiting for? Separate them!" Vanessa, beside herself with urgency, urged her to intervene.


    She had never before seen Theodore so violent and fierce; it was as if he had shredded his suave exterior to reveal a bloodthirsty and confrontational nature beneath.


    Yet ironically, the one who had exposed this side of him was Phoebe.


    Startled awake, Phoebe hurriedly tried to intervene.


    "Stop it, both of you, just stop!"


    The commotion had attracted a crowd of curious onlookers from the hospital''s family waiting area. They watched as the two men, seemingly out of their minds with rage, were ready to do each other in. The tense atmosphere deterred anyone from attempting to break up the fight.


    Phoebe had just gotten close when a stray kick from somewhere nearly sent her tumbling. Wincing in pain with a muffled gasp, both men paused, their attention suddenly on her. Phoebe was weak; she clutched her mouth and began to cough violently.


    "Cough, cough, cough..."


    Theodore shoved Edward away and sprang to his feet, rushing over to Phoebe, "Are you hurt? Let me take you to see a doctor."


    Between coughs, her cheeks a mix of red and white, Phoebe''s tears streamed down her face.


    Vanessa''s eyes, filled with envy, took in Theodore''s handsome face, now marred with bruises and contusions - badges of honor from fighting for Phoebe. Why her?


    What was so special about Phoebe that the usually composed and restrained Theodore would throw caution to the wind and brawl with Edward for her sake?


    Vanessa saw Edward get up and head towards them, a sinister gleam passing through his eyes. She suddenly yelled, "Edward, have you lost your mind? Theodore, watch out!"


    Theodore''s back was to Edward. Hearing Vanessa''s warning and realizing Edward was relentless, his anger peaked. Without a second thought, he spun around, throwing a punch in Edward''s direction. Edward, caught off guard by Theodore''s sudden attack, had no time to dodge the incoming fist.


    "Edward, get out of the way!"


    In a flash, a pale shadow rushed over and slammed into him hard.


    The next second came with the sickening sound of breaking bones as Phoebe was sent flying, crashing to the ground. She curled up from the pain, her lips parting to release a trickle of blood. "Cough, cough, cough..."


    Time seemed to freeze in that agonizing moment. Theodore remained stiff, fist still extended from the punch he''d thrown, not believing that Phoebe had intervened to take the blow meant for Edward. Taken full strength, no holding back. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    How deeply must she love Edward to refuse to let him be harmed, even in the slightest? She would rather bear the pain herself than let him suffer a single scratch.

 Chapter 26

    "Phoebe, Phoebe..." Edward lunged forward, carefully lifting Phoebe into his arms, his movements soft and gentle, for fear of hurting her. "Doctor, Doctor, Phoebe''s hurt, Doctor..."


    Phoebe was coughing violently, her consciousness slipping into a haze. As Edward carried her past Theodore, her eyes widened to look at him. In that instant, she felt Theodore was like a soulless marionette, hollow and frightening. She tried to get a clearer look, but her eyelids grew heavier until darkness completely engulfed her.


    Vanessa watched Edward carry Phoebe away, then quickly moved to Theodore''s side, anxiously grabbing his fist that was frozen mid-air. "Theodore, you''re badly injured, let''s get you bandaged up, okay?" Theodore shook off her hand and walked away without a word.


    "Theodore, Theodore..." Vanessa chased after him a few steps, then stood helplessly as he disappeared behind a wall of people. "Phoebe!" she spat out through clenched teeth, the word laced with deep-seated hatred.


    *


    Phoebe had a dream. She was back in her childhood, visiting her grandmother''s house in the countryside with her mother. The air was sweet and free.


    She ran through the fields, wove wildflowers into crowns, and ate wild berries. Then, by chance, she wandered into the woods, where the towering trees blocked out the sun, and she feared stumbling upon wild beasts. Just as she decided to turn back, she heard a faint cry for help from within the woods. After hesitating, she mustered her courage and pushed forward.


    Parting the waist-high grass, the voice grew nearer. Peering ahead, she saw a boy standing not far off, dressed in fine clothing. He appeared a few years older than her, his pale and handsome face dazzling in the sunlight. Phoebe had never seen such a beautiful boy and thought he might be an angel descended from heaven.


    The boy''s eyes brightened upon seeing her. "At last, someone''s come. Little sister, please fetch some adults; I''ve stepped into an animal trap."


    Despite the grime on his face, he was still strikingly handsome. Approaching him, she saw his shiny leather boots punctured by the trap, a faint trace of blood seeping out. Kneeling by his side, she said, "You''ve hurt your foot; the trap needs to be removed."


    "Do you know how?" he asked.


    "Yes, my grandfather taught me. Hang in there, I''ll get it off," she assured him.


    "Okay."


    Phoebe knelt and studied the trap, then began to pry it open. Despite finding the right technique, her small strength made it a struggle.


    Exhausted and drenched in sweat, with her hands nicked by the jagged edges of the animal trap, Phoebe finally managed to pry it off and tossed it aside.


    The boy sat on the ground, casting a glance at her injured hand. He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, took her hand, and carefully wrapped it with the cloth. "I''m so sorry, it''s my fault you got hurt."


    "It''s no big deal; I''m tough as nails and used to scrapes. But you''ve got a bum leg. How are we going to get back? We''re a long way from town."


    As dusk approached, with the uncertainty of nocturnal beasts possibly prowling, they shared a moment of silence. Phoebe then broke the quiet. "I''ll carry you to town," she offered. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At first, the boy refused, but after persistent coaxing from Phoebe, he reluctantly agreed to let her hoist him onto her back and begin their descent.


    Together they stumbled their way down, covered in grime and dirt. Upon reaching a dirt road and setting The boy down by the roadside, gasping for breath, Phoebe said, "Hang tight, kiddo. I''ll get some help. Just wait here for me, okay?" The boy watched her run off and, for reasons he couldn''t quite fathom, felt a sudden premonition that he might never see her again. He called out, "What''s your name?"


    Turning back with a radiant smile, she replied, "Mia. My name is Mia."

 Chapter 27

    "Phoebe, Phoebe, are you awake? Phoebe?" Annoyingly shrill, the voice pierced through her slumber, causing Phoebe''s brow to furrow. "Mom, I don''t want to go..." She was still trapped in her dream.


    Mrs. Ziegler, seeing her clearly awake yet feigning sleep, snapped and smacked her arm. "Open your eyes when you''re awake. What''s the act for?" The stinging pain prompted Phoebe to fully awaken. Gone were the lush mountains and the fields rich with the scent of earth.


    Instead, a stark white ceiling blinded her, and the strong smell of disinfectant filled her nostrils.


    Memories rewound: the fight between Theodore and Edward, her rushing to shield Edward from Theodore''s blow...


    She closed her eyes and felt a dull ache in her chest.


    Mrs. Ziegler''s prattling continued, "Phoebe, I don''t mean to nag, but you''re Theodore''s wife now. Why are you getting involved with Edward again?"


    Unable to listen further, Phoebe cut in, "When did I get involved with him?"


    "Well, how else did you get hurt if it wasn''t for Edward?" Mrs. Ziegler asked suspiciously.


    Stumped into silence, Phoebe recalled her impulsive dive to take the punch meant for Edward-a guilt-driven act, unable to simply watch him get hurt because of her.


    "Look at you, look at this mess!" Mrs. Ziegler''s voice became immediately aggressive. "Phoebe, how many times did I tell you to stay away from Edward? You just don''t listen. Now see what he''s done to your life?"


    Phoebe had just woken up, bombarded like this by Mrs. Ziegler, and her head was buzzing. "Mom, please, can you just give me some peace for a moment?"


    Seeing Phoebe''s pale face, Mrs. Ziegler felt a pang of compassion. "I made you some chicken soup. Let me help you sit up and have some."


    Weakened, Phoebe was propped up by Mrs. Ziegler, who arranged a couple of pillows behind her before bringing over a bowl of chicken soup.


    Phoebe reached to take the bowl, but Mrs. Ziegler swatted her hand away. "Look how weak you are. I''ll feed you."


    So Phoebe sat obediently, sipping the chicken soup, and asked, "What''s the date today? I feel like I''ve been asleep for ages."


    "Out cold for two days. Does that seem like a long time to you?" Mrs. Ziegler replied irritably. "Phoebe, tell me the truth, how did you and that Fitzroy girl end up falling from the second-floor balcony? Lucky for you it was the pool below, otherwise you''d be dead or crippled."


    Two more days gone; she might as well have made up for a year''s sleep.


    "What did Vanessa say?" Phoebe asked.


    Mrs. Ziegler''s face twisted uncomfortably. "Well... what could she say? Sniveling about how she didn''t know how she fell off the balcony herself. When pressed, she told everyone to ask you." Phoebe didn''t catch her mother''s expression, only scoffed coldly.


    Vanessa was clever, indeed. By saying nothing, she made everyone come to Phoebe, effectively shifting the blame onto her. Whatever Phoebe might say now, people would question its truthfulness, making silent Vanessa look innocent and pure. Vanessa''s talent for manipulation was top-notch!


    Hearing her daughter''s scoff, Mrs. Ziegler prodded, "Why the laugh? What actually happened that day?"


    "I don''t want to talk about it." Phoebe knew her mother''s temperament. If she said it was Vanessa who pulled her down, it would become public drama.


    "I''m your mother; you''re keeping secrets from me?" Mrs. Ziegler stared incredulously. "Even if you were the one who pushed her, I''m on your side." "Mom!" Phoebe''s voice rose in exasperation. "Why would I push her?" S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 28

    "She''s Theodore''s old flame, right? It seemed to me Theodore might still have feelings for her. So if you pushed her out of jealousy, I could understand..." "Even you think that about me. What will others think?" Phoebe interjected coolly, her annoyance clear. Her mom was such a naive sweetheart. Despite her mom''s savvy on trivial matters, she always seemed clueless about the big stuff, reveling in her false sense of wit.


    Mrs. Ziegler snapped out of it, smacking her forehead. "What am I babbling about, Phoebe? You didn''t push her. So how did you both end up falling?" Actually, on the day of the incident, Mrs. Ziegler had caused quite a scene in Vanessa''s hospital room.


    Vanessa, who had been rescued first, didn''t even need hospitalization. But the Fitzroy family insisted, considering the fall was from the second floor, and no one could guarantee she wouldn''t have any complications. Phoebe, having been underwater longer, was still unconscious, but Vanessa was alert and would have been the one to ask about the details of the incident.


    Mrs. Ziegler, upon hearing her daughter nearly drowned, had impulsively confronted Vanessa. Theodore happened to be in the room, witnessing the ugly scene unfold, with Mrs. Ziegler hurling unpleasant accusations. However, in front of others, she would always stand by her daughter.


    "Are you going to continue with the chicken soup, or shall I help myself?" Phoebe threatened to reach for the bowl, but her mother meticulously avoided her.


    After making sure Phoebe finished her soup, Mrs. Ziegler asked again, "You really didn''t push her?"


    "Mom!"


    Mrs. Ziegler quickly added, "I get it, I get it. Phoebe, Theodore is a good man, and you need to hold on tight. I see that little vixen from the Fitzroy family coming on strong, aiming to snatch Theodore back." Phoebe lay back on her pillow, silent.


    "Did you hear me? The best way to keep a man is to have his child. Theodore is responsible-he''ll surely come back to you once you''re pregnant," Mrs. Ziegler insisted. Phoebe remained speechless. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Why did every conversation with her mom circle back to having kids? It was hopeless.


    Suddenly, the hospital room door swung open, and both women looked up in unison to see Vanessa standing there, an image of frail beauty. Phoebe narrowed her eyes.


    The first time she saw Vanessa on the big screen, she thought her striking beauty and talent meant she was destined for lead roles.


    But after a few encounters, Phoebe realized she was nothing but a bitch-a pure and harmless fa?ade disguising a dark and conniving heart.


    "Auntie, I''ve come to see Miss Ziegler," Vanessa said gently, holding a fruit basket by the door, showing none of the craziness from that day on the terrace.


    Mrs. Ziegler glanced at Phoebe with an icy tone, "Phoebe''s worn out. Why don''t you come back another time?"


    "I''ll just say a few words and leave." Vanessa entered, carrying a fruit basket. Her voice was subdued, but her demeanor was assertive.


    Phoebe bit her lip and turned to Mrs. Ziegler. "Mom, could you check with the doctor when I can be discharged?"


    Mrs. Ziegler''s lips twitched, wise to Phoebe''s ploy to get her out of the room. Without a word, she left, carefully closing the door behind her.


    She feigned the sound of her footsteps fading away, then tiptoed back, pressing her ear against the door to eavesdrop.


    Phoebe arched an eyebrow, sizing up Vanessa, who looked stunning and stood out with her flawless makeup, "Miss Fitzroy must be feeling quite smug now, huh?"

 Chapter 29

    Vanessa took a seat on a chair next to the bed, surveyed the hospital room, and then settled her gaze on Phoebe, appearing composed.


    "I heard you were unconscious for another two days?"


    Her tone could be taken as somewhat gloating.


    Phoebe responded coolly, "Thanks to you."


    That day, facing Edward, she was sure he had no hint of aggression as he approached them. If Vanessa hadn''t screamed, the situation would have never escalated to this point. But Vanessa showed not even a hint of remorse. With her legs crossed and her heels swinging leisurely, Vanessa looked unbothered, "Seems like you''re recovering well enough."


    Phoebe licked her back teeth, "Lucky me, not dead yet." Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Is that so? What a pity," Vanessa remarked.


    Phoebe was momentarily speechless.


    She really was impressively vile.


    "So, Miss Fitzroy, did you come by today to see if I was dead or not?"


    Vanessa smiled gently, "Miss Ziegler, there''s no need for such hostility. I just came to check on you."


    Phoebe scoffed, "Sorry, I can''t appreciate your concern."


    "Hey," Vanessa said, "what I did that day was just to see who mattered more to Theodore, you or me. If he had truly fallen for you, indifferent to my wellbeing, I would have stepped back."


    "After all, your three years of being together day and night could certainly threaten our decade-long bond. I was uncertain, so I had to verify for myself."


    "You''re insane!" Phoebe was utterly infuriated, her eyes rimmed with red.


    Unruffled, Vanessa smiled smugly, "Yeah, I am quite crazy, so you definitely don''t want to see just how far I''d go to win him back."


    Phoebe stared at her wild expression, realizing that Vanessa came today to intimidate her.


    "Then bring it on. I''m not scared of you," Phoebe said defiantly.


    Vanessa watched her steadily. She hadn''t intended to trigger Phoebe''s rebellious spirit; all she wanted was to instill a psychological fear of her ruthlessness. But she had underestimated Phoebe.


    She shook her head. "Phoebe, Edward still loves you. He fought Theodore over you. Doesn''t that stir anything in your heart?"


    Phoebe pressed her lips together tightly.


    She had to admit Vanessa was skilled in mental warfare. Her actions, seemingly mad, were all calculated moves aimed at manipulating emotions.


    The day they had both fallen into the water, Theodore had saved Vanessa, dealing Phoebe a devastating blow.


    Then, in the hospital''s garden, Vanessa had set her up, and Theodore had chosen Vanessa again, leaving Phoebe by the lake to kill her hope once more.


    And finally, the punch she took for Edward. Theodore must have thought her old flame for Edward had reignited. If he had any lingering affection, it would have turned to dust. "Miss Fitzroy sure plays a clever game," Phoebe said with an ironic smile.


    Vanessa knew Phoebe was smart. A little reflection on the recent events would unveil her intentions.


    Her rival had not disappointed.


    Only when they were equally matched did she not feel the humiliation of being usurped all those years ago.


    "Pot calling the kettle black, Miss Ziegler. Didn''t you secure your place in the Reynolds family by getting pregnant with Theodore''s child?"


    Phoebe''s lips twitched, but she said nothing in her defense.

 Chapter 30

    Because sometimes reality speaks louder than words.


    Vanessa stood up. "Miss Ziegler, rest up. I''m looking forward to your comeback."


    "Hey, have you no shame?" Mrs. Ziegler burst in, pointing accusingly at Vanessa.


    She''d been fuming outside, eavesdropping. Were mistresses so brazen these days?


    Vanessa remained cool and collected. "Auntie, it was your daughter who stole someone''s love. It''s pretty clear who lacks shame."


    Phoebe looked at her coldly. "My memory might be failing, but wasn''t it Miss Fitzroy who left Theodore first? There''s no basis for your accusation."


    She refused to carry that burden!


    Mrs. Ziegler, bolstered by her daughter''s words, retorted, "Yeah, you left Theodore. Can''t he marry someone else?"


    Hearing their united front, Vanessa left, her face turning a furious shade of blue.


    Mrs. Ziegler was visibly upset. "What in the world? I knew there was something off about that woman. Phoebe, you can''t let her get to you. You are rightfully Theodore''s wife now." Phoebe massaged her temples, weary. "I''m tired. Please, just go home."


    Mrs. Ziegler caught the exhausted look in Phoebe''s eyes and held back further words, but deep down, she harbored a seething resentment toward Vanessa. She had always known Vanessa''s return spelled trouble. And Phoebe''s lackluster response? Surely, she wasn''t considering a divorce from Theodore to rekindle an old flame with Edward?


    Good Lord, she needed to have a talk with Edward.


    *


    After two more days in the hospital, Phoebe had visits from Mrs. Reynolds with Madison and Christopher twice, and Theodore''s father Brandon stopped by once. Theodore was the only one who hadn''t shown up. Mrs. Reynolds mentioned he was on a business trip.


    Yet Carol hinted on Messenger that Theodore was in Kedora the whole time.


    Phoebe knew the truth. He didn''t want to see her. Fine by her.


    She didn''t want to see him either.


    The internal injuries Phoebe had suffered, that caused her to cough up blood, were mostly healed after her two-day hospital stay. She insisted on being discharged to return home. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Unable to persuade Phoebe otherwise, Mrs. Ziegler had begrudgingly proceeded with the discharge paperwork.


    No sooner had she left than Edward arrived.


    Phoebe watched as he entered her room. His facial bruises had faded, but his expression bore marks of weariness. He stood by her bedside and asked softly, "Phoebe, how are you holding up?"


    During the two days Phoebe had been unconscious, Edward had remained by her side. Somehow the Vanderbilts had caught wind of his fight with Theodore, and the fact that he was keeping a vigil for Phoebe, prompting his elder brother to bring him home.


    He had been confined until today when his brother finally released him. He raced to the hospital straight away.


    Phoebe nodded slightly. "I''m much better, thank you. Don''t worry about that day... I just don''t want any animosity between our families because of me."


    A flash of pain crossed Edward''s eyes. "Do you think that makes me feel any better? Phoebe, you''re being too cruel."


    Phoebe bowed her head, "I wronged you three years ago. It''s fine to resent or hate me; just stop being kind to me."


    She no longer deserved his kindness.


    Edward''s emotions surged as he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Phoebe''s waist. "I don''t hate you, nor do I resent you. Phoebe, I love you!" "Edward, let go of me," Phoebe struggled, trying to break free of his hold.


    "I won''t let go!" Edward tightened his embrace and said, "Phoebe, Vanessa is back. Divorce Theodore and let''s reset everything back to where it should be." "Hah!" A cold chuckle suddenly came from the doorway of the hospital room. "Looks like I''ve come at a bad time, interrupting your little moment."

 Chapter 31

    Phoebe''s body jolted as she turned to look towards the doorway. There stood Theodore, his features sharp and handsome, but his expression was exceptionally dark, his piercing gaze sinking her heart. She quickly pushed Edward away, looking at him helplessly. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A flicker of hurt passed through Edward''s eyes. Seeing Theodore step into the room, he instinctively positioned himself in front of Phoebe, watching Theodore warily. "What do you want?"


    Theodore''s thin lips parted slightly, his voice cool as he uttered two icy words, "Move aside!"


    He towered over Edward by several inches, looking down at him, an oppressive aura emanating from him.


    "Theodore, I''m telling you, I won''t let you hurt Phoebe," Edward declared with a bold confidence.


    If he hadn''t been blinded by jealousy and resentment back then, if he hadn''t abandoned Phoebe when she needed him most, she wouldn''t have married Theodore.


    A sneer flashed across Theodore''s lips. "Mr. Vanderbilt, don''t overestimate yourself. When Phoebe was your girlfriend, you couldn''t protect her. How can you do so now when she''s my wife? What concern is it of yours if we argue and then make up?"


    The taunt was not lost on Edward; he turned red with rage, grabbing Theodore''s collar, his voice a ferocious roar, "You''re nothing but a sanctimonious opportunist."


    Theodore''s eyes narrowed.


    Phoebe knew this was bad.


    Having been by Theodore''s side for three years, she understood every subtle expression of his. At this moment, his mood was severely foul, and if Edward kept provoking him, they might come to blows.


    "Edward, you should go," said Phoebe.


    "Phoebe, I..."


    She pursed her lips, interrupting him, "Thank you for visiting me today. From now on, don''t worry about me, we both need to move on."


    Edward paled, instantly understanding her meaning. Stubbornly, he said, "I don''t want to move on."


    After speaking, he dashed off like a child in a huff, afraid Phoebe would say something more that couldn''t be undone. Phoebe watched his retreating figure, a pang of loss washing over her.


    Theodore caught the look of desolation on her face and scoffed, "If you''re so reluctant, why don''t you chase after him?"


    Every time Phoebe laid eyes on him, her blood boiled. She sat down by the bedside, her gaze icy, "What are you doing here?"


    Theodore stood at the edge of the bed, his eyes drooping under her frosty demeanor. The sight of her so cold just made his teeth itch with irritation.


    "I wouldn''t miss this thrilling show," he said with a hard voice, his eyes stabbing at her like sharp daggers.


    Phoebe felt a shiver in her heart, unwilling to meet his reddened eyes.


    In the next second, he grabbed her chin, his scorching breath showering her face with a surge of anger, "Can''t look at me, are you feeling guilty?" "Theodore, don''t push me too far!"


    "So what if I am pushing you?" Theodore shoved her onto the bed, viciously ripping off his tie and unbuttoning his shirt.


    "Looks like you''ve been pretty lonely without me these past few days."


    Phoebe saw the sparks of rage and desire dancing in his eyes, which frightened her more than ever, and she struggled to escape.


    Just as she squirmed from under his arm, he yanked her back by her hair, throwing her onto the bed again.


    "Ow..." Phoebe''s head knocked against the corner of the bed, blackening her vision from the pain.


    Theodore paused for a moment, stiffening as he leaned over to check where she had been hurt. But Phoebe, thinking he was going to continue tormenting her, slapped him hard across the face. The slap resonated with a crisp "smack."


    Theodore froze.


    Phoebe froze.


    Even Mrs. Ziegler, returning from handling the discharge procedures, froze in the doorway of the room.

 Chapter 32

    My goodness, her daughter had hit her son-in-law. Was this something a mother-in-law was meant to witness?


    Theodore glared at Phoebe. If looks could kill, she would be riddled with holes right now. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She was almost scared into a stupor.


    She had slapped Theodore!


    "You dare to hit me?" His handsome face darkened with stormy anger. His eyes darkened with a stormy rage. He gripped Phoebe''s wrists above her head, his fierce eyes looking like he wanted to tear her apart. "I''ll kill you!"


    Mrs. Ziegler''s heart leaped with fear. She was about to rush in when she saw the furious man tear Phoebe''s clothes.


    Her steps halted.


    Phoebe never expected Theodore to humiliate her like this, her struggle becoming frenzied, "Theodore, you jerk, let me go!"


    He pinned her down with an overwhelming force, finding her defiance only irritated, as he stuffed the torn-off tie into her mouth.


    Tears streamed down Phoebe''s face when she caught sight of Mrs. Ziegler in the doorway. She looked at her with eyes full of desperate hope for rescue


    She didn''t want this!


    Whether Theodore sought to disgrace her or punish her, she wanted nothing to do with him now!


    She looked at her mother with pleading eyes, hoping for a word of intervention. If only her mother spoke up, Theodore, shameless as he was, wouldn''t dare to overstep in front of her. Mrs. Ziegler hesitated.


    Her heart ached for her daughter, but she also wished for a quick reconciliation. There was an old saying, "Married couples reconcile at the end of the day," and "she could feel the emotional distance between them growing, especially with Vanessa''s return, threatening the stability of their marriage.


    If Phoebe could just endure and bear a child, she could cement her place in the family.


    With these thoughts, Mrs. Ziegler steeled her resolve, ignoring the painful plea in Phoebe''s eyes, and tiptoed out of the room, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.


    Phoebe''s eyes widened as the door slowly closed, leaving not even a sliver of space. Her heart felt like it was being torn in two.


    Tears streamed down her face.


    In her mother''s eyes, her feelings were never a priority, as long as she could provide some benefit, even if it meant turning a blind eye to Theodore''s torment. Theodore got out of bed and bent down to pick up his shirt and put it on.


    After his anger subsided, reason returned, and he glanced at Phoebe, motionless on the bed, a flicker of regret passing through him.


    He cleared his throat, "Get dressed, I''ll take you back home"


    Phoebe closed her eyes, feeling a burning sensation, yet no tears would fall. Her voice was hoarse as she asked, "Why?" Theodore paused buttoning his shirt, "Why what?"


    "Why do you still touch me?" Phoebe asked. "If I''m so filthy in your eyes, shouldn''t you be disgusted by me?"


    Theodore froze, a shade of embarrassment and faint red tinting his stern face.


    "Me touching you is a blessing you should be thankful for," he said with a malicious tone and arrogant demeanor. Phoebe, consumed by rage, blacked out for a moment and threw a pillow at him.


    "I don''t want your so-called ''blessings''!"

 Chapter 33

    Theodore caught the flying pillow with an easy stretch of his arm. Surprised, he looked at her; Phoebe, in her anger, somehow seemed more enticing. Her eyes sparkled with life. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "If you don''t want to get up, we can go another round," he suggested.


    "You beast!"


    Phoebe was genuinely terrified. She scrambled out of bed, frantically dug out clean clothes from her luggage, and scurried into the bathroom.


    Theodore touched his nose, and oddly enough, the gloomy mood that had clouded him for days cleared. He placed the pillow back on the bed and picked up the torn clothes tossing them into the trash.


    Dressed, Phoebe stood by the sink, the mirror reflecting a cut at the corner of her mouth and her swollen lips.


    She bit down hard. She never expected him to be gentle.


    The knock on the bathroom door startled Phoebe, then came Theodore''s drawl from outside, "You done yet?" Phoebe didn''t respond.


    She opened the door to find Theodore leaning casually against the wall, half-smirking at her. The very man who had been rough just moments before now stood there looking like a perfectly put-together gentleman. "Why haven''t you left?" she asked.


    Usually, he''d be out the door as soon as they were done, but today appeared to be an exception.


    Theodore''s gaze lingered on the split corner of her lip, a wound he had inflicted earlier. His expression turned sheepish. "Let me drive you home."


    "I''m not of such high regard to trouble you," Phoebe replied briskly, stepping past him. Even the most patient person has their limits, and Theodore had rubbed hers raw.


    He grabbed her wrist, pulling her back. "Phoebe, do you realize when you get all fiery like this, it just makes me want to tame you more?"


    Knowing she couldn''t break free from his grip and refusing to suffer more than she had to, she met his gaze with a clear, piercing look. "Theodore, Vanessa''s back. After all the years you''ve kept her close to your heart, don''t you think you owe her some sort of commitment?"


    Theodore''s irritation spiked at the mention of Vanessa. "Mind your own business!"


    Phoebe let out a cold laugh. "Eating from the bowl while eyeing the pot, Theodore, you''ve really got some nerve!" Having said that, she wriggled free from his grasp and strode to the hospital room door, yanking it open with a swift motion. Theodore''s face burned as if he had been slapped. Just as he was about to follow her to have the last word, he saw Mrs. Ziegler standing outside. He froze in his tracks.


    With an embarrassed look, Mrs. Ziegler clung to the door frame, caught eavesdropping. Her dignity seemed to falter as she asked, "Are you two finished?"


    Her question chilled Phoebe''s demeanor even further. "What, now you want to come and watch?"


    Three years with Theodore had honed Phoebe''s ability to return a sharp retort. Mrs. Ziegler''s expression soured instantly.


    "Phoebe, what are you insinuating?"


    Ignoring her, Phoebe headed straight for the elevator. Her mother''s earlier actions had left her utterly disgusted.


    Mrs. Ziegler glanced at Theodore and couldn''t hold back a rebuke, "Theodore, Phoebe''s just recovering. Be gentle with her, will you?"


    Theodore pursed his lips briefly. "Mom, I''m going after her. I''ll have the driver take you home later."


    "Just go, Phoebe has a soft heart. Just charm her a bit, and she won''t be mad at you anymore," Mrs. Ziegler nodded, watching as Theodore grabbed his duffel bag and dashed out.

 Chapter 34

    She glanced into the hospital room. The bed was a mess, evidence of a recent intense struggle. Young people just don''t know moderation. If only Phoebe could get pregnant with a grandchild for the Reynolds family.


    *


    Down at the hospital''s entrance, Theodore caught up to Phoebe and pulled her into his car, speeding towards the apartment.


    Restlessly scrolling through her phone, Phoebe sat in the passenger seat. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Theodore, driving, glanced at her occasionally. "How did you and Vanessa end up falling off the second-floor balcony the other day?" Phoebe paused her scrolling. "I thought you wouldn''t ask."


    Theodore frowned, "How could I not ask about something that serious?"


    Turning to look at him, after a few seconds of silence, Phoebe took a gamble, "If I said Miss Fitzroy pulled me down, would you believe me?" "She can''t swim; she wouldn''t do that," Theodore replied without hesitation. "Don''t try to pin this on her, Phoebe."


    Phoebe felt a sharp twinge in her heart.


    See, she knew it was humiliating to even suggest.


    Staring at the asphalt road shimmering in the sunlight, she spoke with difficulty, "I can''t swim either... and I don''t like you. I had no reason to push her." The car screeched to a halt in the middle of the road.


    Propelled forward by inertia, Phoebe was then yanked back by the seatbelt, leaving her dazed, "What are you doing? Don''t you know that''s dangerous?" The car behind them almost slammed into their fancy ride, its driver sweating bullets. Swerving around them and passing by, the driver cursed furiously. Theodore''s glare sent a shiver through the man, who quickly drove off.


    He steered the car back onto the road, his expression growing dark. Through clenched teeth, he said, "You don''t like a man like me? Are you blind?" Phoebe closed her eyes, replying, "Yes, I''m blind and foolish."


    Theodore fell silent.


    He dropped Phoebe at her apartment building and, without waiting for her to go inside, drove off, leaving her in a cloud of exhaust.


    Phoebe didn''t mind; dragging her weary body back to her apartment, the first thing she did was take a shower, washing away every trace of Theodore from her skin. She felt disgraced.


    Despite loathing him for choosing to save Vanessa first that day, leaving her alone by the lake, her soul trembled with shame when he kissed her.


    After her shower, she cooked herself a bowl of noodles and watched some celebrity gossip while eating.


    Phoebe perked up upon learning that the artist she auditioned for the talent show had made it through with flying colors, securing an A rating for the first episode and getting into the top class.


    She whipped out her phone and called John. "Keep a close eye on Noah Myersarlton''s performance on the show, see how he measures up. I''ll discuss it with the production team when I get back to the office."


    She was aware that talent shows weren''t without their behind-the-scenes manipulations. If Noah had enough talent, she wouldn''t mind giving him a nudge to help him shine brighter.


    With the call ended, she was so tired she didn''t want to move a finger and decided to head to bed.


    In the middle of the night, she felt as if a mountain was pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe, the air thick with the scent of alcohol.


    Frowning, she opened her eyes to find an arm draped across her waist, unmovable, only hugging her tighter when she tried to push it away. "Stop it, let''s just sleep," she murmured.

 Chapter 35

    Phoebe lay there for a while, feeling the heat of someone behind her baking her in the midsummer night, sweat beading on her skin. She shifted the arm away, but within a second, it was back, draping over her and the weight of the body now pressing down on her. "I need to use the bathroom," she stated. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The arm remained still until she nudged again, and Theodore finally let go as he lay back, his voice heavy with alcohol, "Hurry back."


    In the bathroom, Phoebe sat on the closed toilet lid, hugging her knees and staring blankly into space.


    Nothing had changed.


    Theodore, drunk as before, still preferred to sleep close to her.


    And yet, everything felt different.


    Because she could no longer rest easy in his arms.


    She didn''t know how long she had been sitting there until she felt completely chilled and returned to bed.


    She climbed back in to find Theodore hugging her pillow, deeply asleep.


    The corner of her mouth quirked.


    It seemed he didn''t particularly need her to sleep with; he just needed something to hold. Whether it was her, a pillow, or someone else, it didn''t matter. Theodore woke up early and noticed something soft in his arms; it felt wrong, prompting him to open his eyes and discover he was cuddling a pillow. Tossing it aside, he sat up, ruffling his hair and feeling groggy.


    The bedroom was empty except for him. He grabbed his phone and made a call; Phoebe answered promptly with a formal tone, "Good morning, Mr. Reynolds!" "Why didn''t you wake me up?" Theodore grumbled, licking his molars.


    "Sorry, Mr. Reynolds, but I''m no longer your executive assistant and waking services are no longer provided. Unless there''s something else, I''m going to hang up," Phoebe replied, strictly business. The line went dead, suddenly and deliberately. Fire surged through Theodore''s veins. With an abrupt twist, he lashed out at the pillow beside him. This woman''s got some nerve! Phoebe set her cell phone aside and eyed the bewildered John. "Where were we? Keep talking."


    John just stared, dumbfounded. Good Lord, what had he just overheard? No wonder the rumors swirled about Phoebe and Mr. Reynolds-her words hinted at a complexity he hadn''t expected. Ordering room service?


    Phoebe tapped the pen cap against the desk, trying to focus.


    John cleared his throat disrupt the silence. "Last night the second episode aired. Noah Myers''s live ratings soared, and we gained tens of thousands of Facebook fans. I think we''ve got a rising star on our hands." "Mm," Phoebe hummed thoughtfully, "head to HR and post some job listings. I want to handle the interviews personally."


    "Sure thing."


    John hadn''t been gone long when an uninvited guest marched into the office. Dressed in a suit as dark and somber as his mood, he was a presence that filled and darkened the space.


    "Was this your doing?" Theodore loomed beside the desk, his nearly six-foot-three frame making the office feel cramped.


    Phoebe remained seated. She tilted her head to meet his gaze. "I made some hangover soup. It''s warming on the stove. Did you have any?"


    Theodore, who had expected her to snap at him and give him an excuse to wreak havoc in her new office, found his anger caught in limbo by her unexpected warmth.

 Chapter 36

    Theodore''s anger was stifled, his expression awkward. "Yeah, I tried it, but what on earth was that? The taste was bizarre."


    He was looking for a fight.


    Phoebe replied, "I tried a new recipe. If you didn''t like it, I''ll stick to the usual one next time."


    "It was fine," Theodore mumbled, his hand absentmindedly rubbing his nose as he looked at her with confusion. "What''s gotten into you today? Why so compliant? You''re not plotting something big, are you?"


    "I hadn''t realized Mr. Reynolds was into that sort of thing," Phoebe responded coolly, too tired to be adversarial.


    She glanced at her watch. "If I''m not mistaken, you have a morning meeting in three minutes. You better hurry, or you''ll be late."


    Grinding his teeth, Theodore retorted, "I''ll deal with you after the meeting."


    He strode towards the door, but just as he was about to leave, he paused and turned back. Phoebe was sitting behind her broad desk, her hair pulled into a high ponytail that revealed her small, delicate cheeks and her gracefully slender neck. Sometimes he liked to grip her neck, beautiful and fragile, as if in doing so, he mastered her entire being.


    The nine o''clock sunlight shone on her, making her seem as if she herself were illuminated.


    Phoebe, away from his side, had changed, yet in some ways, stayed the same.


    Phoebe caught Theodore''s gaze and looked up at him with puzzled eyes. Theodore just turned his head away with a snort, strutting off with a high and mighty air. Phoebe: "..."


    What''s his problem? sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    *


    That afternoon, Phoebe made a trip to the Exceptional Entertainment''s talent show camp, where a group of vibrant young boys was practicing a dance routine in the studio.


    A staff member called out Noah Myersarter, pointing in Phoebe''s direction. Noah jogged over, the youthfulness radiating from him.


    "Miss Ziegler, what brings you here?" Noah inquired.


    Phoebe smiled, "Call me Phoebe, ''Miss Ziegler'' makes me feel old."


    Noah Myershuckled, and a blush tinted his cheeks as he admired her; Phoebe''s smile was simply captivating. "Phoebe, did you come here just for me?"


    "Yes," Phoebe nodded, "You''ve been doing well recently, and the audience loves you. Let the production team know if you need anything. I''ve already given them a heads-up." Noah knew what this meant; Phoebe was taking him under her wing. "It''s all good, no issues. So, you''ll be guiding me from now on, Phoebe?"


    There was a hopeful look in his eyes, which Phoebe recognized. "For now, you''ll work with me. After the show, I''ll assign you a personal agent."


    After a brief conversation and some advice from Phoebe, she sent him back to training.


    Rejoining the group, the boys crowded around him, "Wow, is that your agent? She''s so gorgeous; she could be a star herself."


    "Don''t be silly, she''s the boss of our company."


    "That young?"


    "Yeah..."


    As Phoebe turned to descend the stairs, Theodore''s call came in. He sounded irritable, "Where have you been, not at the office?" Phoebe pursed her lips, "I''m at Exceptional Entertainment, is there an issue?"


    "Why are you there? Nevermind, just wait, I''ll come to pick you up. Grandma''s back from the Old St. Patrick''s Cathedral, and she wants us to stop by," said Theodore on the other end of the line. Phoebe was about to say she had driven there herself when Theodore hung up. With a sigh of resignation, she made her way to curbside to wait for him.


    Soon, a black Maybach pulled up, the window rolling down to reveal Vanessa in the passenger seat, greeting her warmly.


    "Miss Ziegler, get in quickly; we can''t stay here too long."

 Chapter 37

    Seeing Vanessa in the passenger seat no longer surprised Phoebe as she slid into the backseat.


    The car merged smoothly into traffic.


    Theodore, one hand on the wheel and the other resting on the window ledge, glanced in the rearview mirror, "How''s the kid working under you?" "She''s got potential," Phoebe muttered, her eyes glued to her phone without looking up.


    Theodore pursed his lips, feeling a tinge of irritation. Ever since he had transferred Phoebe to QUEEN Entertainment, she had grown wings, as if he no longer mattered to her. "As the director of talent, you''re not an agent. There''s no need for you to run errands," Theodore pointed out.


    At the mention of this, Phoebe glanced at Vanessa and said, "I''ve been talking to a top-notch agent lately, and if I can get her on board, I want her to handle Miss Fitzroy."


    Theodore frowned. "Didn''t I ask you to keep an eye on Vanessa for the time being?"


    Phoebe inwardly scoffed. He insisted on pairing her with Vanessa-was he trying to pit them against each other?


    "What does Miss Fitzroy think?"


    Vanessa turned towards them, her eyes innocently shifting between the two, and said, "I''m fine either way; I''ll follow the company''s decision."


    Phoebe looked at her with mocking eyes. She acted so pure, but who didn''t know the beast lurking beneath that sheepskin?


    "Marry has mentored plenty of A-listers; her experience is invaluable. If Miss Fitzroy wants to shine in the entertainment industry, Marry is the best choice," Phoebe proclaimed. Her words were meant to remind Vanessa that following her might not promise a bright future.


    Of course, if Vanessa preferred to take risks over her career to bother her, that was a different story.


    But clearly, Vanessa wasn''t blinded by love. She had her own plans, ones she had no intention of sharing with Phoebe.


    "I trust Miss Ziegler''s judgment," Vanessa declared.


    Theodore fell silent just as Vanessa reached out and playfully tugged at his sleeve, "Theodore, don''t be mad. Miss Ziegler is so busy, handing me over to Marry is for my best interest." Theodore''s expression softened, "As long as you don''t feel slighted, that''s what matters."


    "Why would I feel slighted? I''ve heard about Marry abroad; she''s propelled many artists to stardom. For Miss Ziegler to get her to manage me must have taken quite an effort," Vanessa commented.


    "That''s her job," Theodore said before glancing at the rearview mirror and noticing Phoebe still on her phone, prompting him to purse his lips in displeasure.


    Phoebe was scrolling through her social feed and inadvertently stumbled upon Vanessa''s update from roughly 20 minutes ago, a photo accompanied by the caption: "Such beautiful hands should be playing the piano, such a waste otherwise." The picture was clearly taken from the passenger side, featuring only a hand and the steering wheel it was Theodore''s hand, identifiable by the distinguished fingers resting on the wheel.


    As if possessed, Phoebe clicked on Vanessa''s profile and was quickly drawn into a stream of recent posts. Vanessa had been updating her feed consistently-an average of more than two posts each day since the day they had both fallen into the water.


    [He came to see me today and brought my favorite chicken soup. He still remembers after all this time. An image of an open thermos revealed the shimmering broth.]


    [He brought me flowers, he still remembers which ones are my favorites after all these years. Everything feels unchanged, as if time stood still. A picture of a bouquet of red roses accompanied the post.]


    S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 38

    [He peeled an apple for me and even cut it into bite-sized pieces. Such tender care. A picture of a neatly arranged fruit plate.] [Why is he so good to me? He even draped his jacket over my shoulders. Teehee! An image of a tailored Herm¨¨s blazer.]


    With each new post, Phoebe''s heart sank deeper. She snuffed out the light of her phone screen and shoved the device back into her pocket, feeling an icy chill inside. So, Theodore had done so much for Vanessa while Phoebe was unconscious -things he never did for her. Her eyes welled up as she turned to gaze out the car window.


    The dusk had settled, casting a mottled light inside. Theodore glanced in the rearview mirror, catching Phoebe''s determined yet chilled profile.


    Lady Reynolds was a woman of deep spiritual beliefs who made annual retreats to a secluded sanctuary, dedicating three months each year to personal reflection and peace. She typically returned in September, but this year, she came back a month early.


    By the time they reached the Reynolds Mansion, darkness had enveloped everything, yet the estate was illuminated with brilliant lights.


    Lady Reynolds sat on the living room sofa, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, her face crinkled with a joyful smile, exuding a dignified grace.


    As Theodore and Phoebe walked in, Lady Reynolds waved her over, "Phoebe, come here, let grandma get a good look at you."


    Quickening her pace, Phoebe approached and felt a surge of warmth when Lady Reynolds took her hand. "Grandma, what brought you back early?"


    "I heard about your accident and wanted to check on you. Look at you, all skin and bones! Theodore, haven''t you been feeding Phoebe?" Lady Reynolds chided him.


    Theodore hurried over with a smile, "Grandma, you know Phoebe''s always had a slender constitution." Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Oh, that petite face of yours, just breaks my heart," Lady Reynolds continued, glancing at her flat abdomen, "So thin. When are you going to give me a great-grandson?"


    Phoebe''s cheeks flamed with embarrassment, a tinge of shame stirring within her. She knew how much Lady Reynolds looked forward to a great-grandchild, but Phoebe feared that she might never be able to conceive. With that thought, she turned to look at Theodore.


    Theodore didn''t look at her but continued to soothe his grandmother, "Grandma, I''ll try my best. Maybe soon you''ll be able to hold a great-grandchild."


    Lady Reynolds, charmed by his words, beamed with joy, and the room was filled with warmth and happiness.


    Phoebe pursed her lips, glancing towards Vanessa, who stood not far behind them. Her presence at the family dinner was a clear sign of where Theodore''s affections lay. When he spoke of making an effort, Phoebe understood it was not with her, but with Vanessa that he intended to try.


    After all, given her current health condition, no amount of effort on his part would lead to a baby.


    A pang of sorrow struck Phoebe''s heart.


    At that moment, Vanessa approached, crouching in front of the elderly matriarch with a smile as radiant as the blossoms of spring. "Grandma, do you remember me?"


    After looking at Vanessa for a few seconds, Lady Reynolds recognized her, "You must be Vanessa, my dear. You''ve become more beautiful with each passing day. I can barely recognize you." Laughing, Vanessa replied, "Oh, Grandma, you''re the true beauty here. I''m merely passable compared to you, hardly worth mentioning."


    Lady Reynolds chuckled heartily. "You do have a way with words. When did you get back? You''ll stay this time, won''t you?"


    "Yep, I''ll be staying here in the North Side. There''s something precious I''ve been chasing, and I intend to get it back," Vanessa responded, then shyly stole a glance at Theodore before bowing her head. That bashful demeanor in Vanessa''s eyes seemed to Phoebe like a clear signal of a rekindled romance with Theodore, which burned her from the inside out.

 Chapter 39

    At dinner, Lady Reynolds positioned Vanessa and Phoebe to her sides, with Theodore sitting next to Phoebe. The arrangement was rather interesting. Whether intentional or not, Lady Reynolds placed Theodore and Vanessa far apart, resulting in no opportunity for interaction throughout the meal. After dinner, everyone moved to the card room. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Despite her pious nature, Lady Reynolds was quite the card shark-often gathering the family for a game.


    In her words, playing cards was not only a way to bond with kin but also a means to stave off dementia a win-win situation.


    Lady Reynolds took her seat in the east, and Phoebe went to fetch a pillow to place behind her, ensuring she was comfortable.


    Seeing Phoebe''s silent gesture of care, Lady Reynolds remarked, "Phoebe is so thoughtful. Her kindness is gentle and unassuming. Theodore, you should appreciate such blessings." Catching a glimpse of Phoebe with the corner of his eye, Theodore settled next to Lady Reynolds, ready to help her with her hand and keep her spirits high.


    Madison stood beside Vanessa, snorting with disdain, "Real cunning, just knows how to charm grandma to get her on her side."


    Though Vanessa heard her, she only managed a gentle smile, yet her heart was far from calm.


    Since dinner began, she could sense a shift in the Reynolds family''s demeanor towards her; they were still warm, but now with an added formality.


    Lady Reynolds took Phoebe by the hand, guiding her to sit beside her and Theodore, "Phoebe, dear, come warm my arms, and later on, you can sneakily tell grandma what cards Theodore has." Theodore protested, "Grandma, that''s hardly fair."


    Lady Reynolds just laughed.


    Seeing the matriarch''s joy, everyone else chuckled too, and Phoebe said, "Of course, grandma, I''ll whisper them to you later."


    Theodore glared at her, feigning annoyance, "I can''t believe your loyalty''s straying."


    "She''s not an outsider," Phoebe retorted with a grin.


    Lady Reynolds couldn''t contain her delight, "Exactly, how can grandma be an outsider?"


    Christopher and Aunt Sarah from the Reynolds clan took their seats, ready to play cards. Phoebe sat next to Lady Reynolds, peeking at her hand. Fortune smiled upon Lady Reynolds, who immediately won the first round with a strong hand, and by the second round, she had outplayed the other three players.


    Lady Reynolds, beaming with joy, exclaimed, "Phoebe is my lucky charm, every time you''re by my side, I have incredible luck."


    "That''s all grandma''s good fortune, not my doing," Phoebe modestly remarked as she handed Lady Reynolds her fruit tea, watching her take a sip, then carefully placed the cup back on the side shelf.


    Catching a glimpse of her, Theodore mused that if Phoebe wanted to please someone, she''d be exceptionally thorough and attentive. It was no wonder grandma adored her so much.


    "I could vouch for that. Look, she sits by me too, yet why do I keep losing?" Theodore teased.


    Lady Reynolds replied with a chuckle, "I think you''re just jealous."


    Theodore''s pride kicked in, "Not at all."


    Laughter filled the room, but Vanessa''s expression grew increasingly sour.


    Alice was shuffling the cards when she glanced over at Theodore and Phoebe; the sound of cards being shuffled was pleasant to the ears. "Mom, do you see what I see? Theodore and Phoebe are starting to look like a married couple," she joked.


    Lady Reynolds turned to look at them both, remarking, "I didn''t notice until you pointed it out, but they sure do."


    The moment someone quipped about "couple resemblance," all eyes fell on them, making Phoebe uncomfortable. She coughed lightly, avoiding Theodore''s gaze.


    He must be fuming inside, especially with his sweetheart standing right there.

 Chapter 40

    Vanessa had been standing behind and to the side of Theodore. From her angle, she caught the half-smile tugging at his lips as he glanced at Phoebe, his eyes free of any displeasure, even seeming somewhat smitten. Her heart seemed to drop straight down into an abyss.


    The festive atmosphere in the room made her feel out of place. She hadn''t expected that in just three years, Phoebe could have such deep ties with the Reynolds family. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    All Vanessa had to cling to was Theodore''s affection for her.


    But what if Theodore''s feelings for her faded? What would she do then?


    After watching a few games, Vanessa mentioned she was leaving. Theodore stood up, "Let me take you home."


    Lady Reynolds frowned slightly, suggesting, "It''s late; it''s a hassle to go back and forth. Vanessa, why don''t you stay here tonight? It''s not often we see you."


    Vanessa was taken aback.


    Mrs. Reynolds looked puzzledly at Lady Reynolds, "Mom, is that really appropriate? Maybe we could have the driver take her; it''s not that far."


    "We''ve got plenty of guest rooms; there''s space," Lady Reynolds insisted. "Lucy, prepare the room across from Phoebe''s wedding suite." With the rooms assigned, no one felt comfortable objecting. Everyone was murmuring to themselves, wondering what the matriarch intended.


    It was clear to see, Vanessa still harbored feelings for Theodore. Inviting her to stay with the Reynolds family sounded like inviting trouble.


    Especially placing her right across from Theodore''s marriage suite, seemed like stirring the pot.


    Phoebe, clenching her hands in her lap, stood and said, "I''ll help Lucy, then. If Miss Fitzroy is to stay the night, we can''t have her discomforted." With that, she left the game room.


    Vanessa was secretly pleased, but said aloud, "Grandma, I don''t want to impose. I should just head back."


    Lady Reynolds replied, "You''ve come all this way to see me; you''re our guest. We can''t send you home in the middle of the night. Just do as you''re told."


    Any fleeting joy in Vanessa''s heart instantly vanished with the smoke. Lady Reynolds'' invitation wasn''t a gesture treating her as a prospective granddaughter-in-law, but merely as a guest.


    She bit her lip, looking over at Theodore with a mix of hope and worry.


    Theodore laid down his card when the old lady announced her win with a triumphant "Bingo!" She pushed her cards forward and stood up with the help of the maid, "It''s getting late, let''s wrap this up."


    Madison hooked her arm around Vanessa, bubbling with excitement. "Let''s head to your room, Vanessa. You''ve got to tell me all about the fun stuff that happened abroad!"


    Pulled along by Madison, Vanessa went with her while Mrs. Reynolds hurried to catch up with Lady Reynolds, clearly confused. "Mom, can''t you see Vanessa still has feelings for Theodore? How can we let her stay the night? Phoebe will be heartbroken."


    Lady Reynolds responded, "If she''s heartbroken, she should be proactive. If she doesn''t make a move, how can she expect her rival to back down?" "But..."


    Alice joined in, addressing Mrs. Reynolds with a hint of mischief, "Dear sister, mother is actually looking out for Phoebe. Yes, Miss Fitzroy comes from a reputable family, but imagine if Theodore had to take her home in the middle of the night... If sparks fly... Of course, Theodore''s character might prevent him from crossing a line, but what if?"


    All women know how unreliable a man''s desire can be. If a woman is forward enough, no man can resist.


    Especially a stunning beauty like Vanessa.


    Mrs. Reynolds'' expression soured. "Sister-in-law better keep an eye on our brother, lest he goes around causing trouble with young ladies."


    Alice sighed internally.


    Some people just can''t see the good intentions. And she couldn''t quite trust Theodore to control himself. With the woman he once loved living just across the street, he might sneak over to Vanessa''s room in the dead of night. What a spectacle that would be.

 Chapter 41

    Phoebe stood in her room, helping Lucy make the bed. Her expression was somber. "Phoebe, the matriarch is certainly on your side," Lucy assured her. Phoebe remained silent.


    Seeing Phoebe''s desolation, Lucy continued, "The moment she heard you fell into the water, she rushed back. She genuinely cares for you. She insisted Miss Fitzroy stay the night to prevent Theodore from having to escort her home late at night. Alone together at such an hour, who knows what might happen?"


    Lucy didn''t have to say more; Phoebe grasped the unspoken concern.


    But a second later, her heart sank.


    Even her grandmother was wary of Theodore and Vanessa''s possible indiscretions, a testament to how deep their past relationship must have been. Now, with Vanessa staying over, if Theodore harbored any old feelings, wouldn''t proximity breed temptation?


    Once the bedding was neatly arranged, Lucy patted Phoebe''s shoulder. "You''ve got to be proactive, Phoebe. Don''t float through life like a goddess who''s above it all."


    Phoebe''s cheeks flushed with an intense red, the topic steering into awkward territory that left her feeling bewildered and embarrassed.


    Retreating to her bedroom, she made her way to the bathroom to freshen up. After showering and getting out, she sat in front of the vanity mirror, dabbing her face dry, when suddenly, the bedroom door swung open from the outside. Hearing the noise, she glanced over and saw Theodore, hands casually in his pockets, strolling in with ease. Dressed casually at home, he had left the top two buttons of his shirt undone, revealing an alluring glimpse of his Adam''s apple and a hint of his neck.


    Phoebe found herself swallowing hard, her throat suddenly feeling parched. As he made a beeline towards her, she pretended to be engrossed in patting her face, avoiding his intense gaze.


    Theodore stopped behind her, intently studying her reflection in the mirror, his focus so unnerving that it sent a wave of tension through Phoebe. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, voice tinted with a mix of curiosity and anxiety.


    Leaning in, his chin nearly resting on her shoulder, they were so close that she could feel the warmth radiating from him, causing her pores to relax and open. Phoebe tried to look away.


    A firm hand reached for her neck, holding her still like a cat grasped by the claws of fate, daring not to move again.


    "Wh-"


    "Do you think we look alike?" Theodore''s eyes locked on their mirrored images. Unabashed, he meticulously took in every detail of Phoebe''s features for the first time.


    His gaze swept over her eyes, ears, and lips, predatory and invasive, making Phoebe''s heart race. She had rarely dared to examine Theodore closely; his presence was so overpowering that even the contours of his face seemed to exude aggression, often making her shy away from his striking looks.


    Now, as she bravely met his gaze, she struggled to believe that she had been with this man for three years.


    "Not really," she said with a hesitant voice.


    Theodore''s eyes narrowed slightly as he caressed her chin with his well-proportioned fingers, his displeasure evident. "I think we bear a striking resemblance."


    He had never agreed with his Aunt Linda''s claim that they looked like a married couple before, but now, gazing closely, he realized when Phoebe was aloof, she mirrored his own cool demeanor. Turning to face her, their proximity was so suffocating that their breath intertwined, laden with unspoken tension.


    Her heart pounded wildly. What was Theodore up to?


    The moment was ripe with anticipation when suddenly, a knock at the bedroom door disrupted everything.


    Phoebe sprang to her feet, her movements frantic, "I''ll...I''ll get the door."


    Theodore twirled his finger, as if the softness of her skin lingered on his fingertips, sending ripples of desire through him.


    Her cheeks a fiery red, Phoebe stood at the door taking a deep breath before pulling it open. The sight of the visitor caused her mouth to downturn immediately.

 Chapter 42

    Vanessa''s eyes locked onto the blush staining Phoebe''s cheeks, her expression twisting momentarily with an envy that scorched her insides. What had they been doing before she knocked? Could it have been...


    "Miss Ziegler, I''m looking for Theodore," said Vanessa, her voice betraying none of the envy she''d ground down and swallowed, opting instead for a facade of calm as she addressed Phoebe. Phoebe''s brow knitted slightly. Vanessa was hardly discreet about her intentions. "At this hour? What do you need Mr. Fitzroy for?"


    "My door won''t lock properly; I was hoping Theodore could take a look," Vanessa explained.


    Phoebe glanced at the room across the hall. She had just been inside with Lucy, and the door had locked without issue. Was Vanessa suggesting to Theodore that she''d leave her door open for him? "There''s no need to bother him with that; I can fix it," Phoebe said before squeezing past Vanessa and firmly shutting the door behind her, blocking her view.


    Vanessa gritted her teeth, a hint of sarcasm edging her tone. "I wouldn''t have pegged you as the handywoman type, Miss Ziegler."


    "There''s a lot you wouldn''t expect about me." Phoebe headed over to the problematic door, testing the handle several times, confirming that it was indeed broken-sabotaged, more likely.


    Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Vanessa avoiding her gaze, evidently rattled by Phoebe''s insight.


    "It seems like a loose spring. I''ll grab my toolbox," Phoebe stated before setting off.


    Another bite of frustration from Vanessa.


    Phoebe returned shortly with a toolbox from the attic, where a set was always kept for common issues like this. It didn''t take her long to fix the door. Vanessa''s demeanor darkened even further.


    Toolbox in hand, Phoebe offered a parting piece of advice, "Get some rest, Miss Fitzroy. Make sure your door is locked tight to keep the riff-raff out."


    Vanessa was silent, glaring at the repaired door, her eyes burning with resentment.


    When Phoebe got back to her own room, Theodore had finished his shower, dressed only in a pair of black boxer-briefs and a loose black T-shirt-his well-built thighs constrained by the fabric of his shorts, his legs long and toned. Phoebe let her eyes linger just a moment before turning away, her cheeks flushed with a hint of crimson he seemed not to notice.


    He sat casually on the vanity stool, legs propped up. "What were you up to?"


    "Helping Miss Fitzroy fix her door," Phoebe replied, carefully avoiding a direct glimpse of his sculpted legs. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Did you?" Theodore pressed.


    "Yep. And I reminded her to lock up, keep out the troublemakers," said Phoebe indirectly hinting to Theodore as she moved to her bed.


    He let out a light chuckle, "You sure are full of surprises."


    As Phoebe slid into bed, she caught Theodore toweling his hair in her peripheral vision. She reached for her tablet and began to catch up on the latest season of a reality talent show.


    Noah Myersarter had the makings of a star, and given the current trends, he was poised for celebrity status. After negotiating with the production team, he managed to secure more screen time for himself.


    Phoebe felt a sudden weight beside her, accompanied by the faint scent of body wash and a warm presence. She quickly turned her head to find Theodore had climbed into the bed without her notice.


    There he was, sitting right beside her, peering at the tablet in her hands. "The kid''s got some good moves. Are you thinking of pushing him to the top?"


    "Yep, if QUEEN Entertainment wants to solidify its place in the industry, we need our own A-listers..." Phoebe trailed off.


    Theodore, however, was less focused on the conversation. Resting his chin on Phoebe''s shoulder, his gaze dropped and noticed her pajama top slightly ajar. Instantly, his eyes darkened.

 Chapter 43

    Unaware of his gaze, Phoebe remained engrossed in her content.


    "Noah Myersarter is handsome and aligns perfectly with what the younger girls find attractive these days. Plus, with his high EQ, shy yet enthusiastic personality, the transformation when he dances is incredible." Theodore murmured a distracted agreement, his mind somewhere else.


    "To make it big, he''ll still need a break. So, I''m planning to sign a few influential artists to back us up," Phoebe continued.


    Theodore leaned back against the pillows, hands behind his head. "Got anyone in mind?"


    "Yeah, Evan DeRoss, who shot to fame last year with that hit series adaptation. I heard his contract is almost up, so I''m planning to make him an offer he can''t refuse to become the leading man of QUEEN Entertainment. Though rumors say he''s looking to start his own studio-landing him will all come down to fate."


    Phoebe turned to look at him, their eyes locking. Theodore''s hand still played with her hair as everything around them seemed just right, yet her heart began to feel an icy chill.


    She knew QUEEN Entertainment was a gift Theodore intended for Vanessa, and Phoebe was only managing it temporarily.


    The irony of her hard work would sting all the more once they divorced and Vanessa took over.


    Closing her tablet with finality, Phoebe placed it on the nightstand. "You''re right, there''s no need to overdo it. No one''s going to take my place if I wear myself out." With that, she rolled over, turning her back on him, as if to cocoon herself with the bedcovers.


    Theodore was silent, staring at the defiant curve of her hips. He nudged her with his foot playfully, "I''m trying to have a serious conversation. Why the sudden mood?" Phoebe lay there, eyes closed, not quite sure what was fueling her frustration.


    Theodore waited for a moment, his patience waning as she ignored him. Frustration clawed at his chest. In a huff, he pulled on his pajama bottoms and stormed out the door.


    As the slamming door echoed in her ears, Phoebe lay back on her bed, eyes locked onto the ceiling. A smirk touched her lips - Theo had finally found his excuse to meet up with Vanessa at night. Downstairs at the pool, Theodore sliced through the water for several rounds. His athletic form cut a powerful figure against the shimmering surface, muscles taut and well-defined.


    Breathless, he rested against the pool''s edge, his body radiating an unrest that seemed to have no outlet.


    Footsteps approached from the end of the path, intentionally heavy, signaling their arrival. Theodore''s Adam''s apple bobbed.


    Without turning to look, he dove back into the water, his long arms stirring the surface into a frothy cascade.


    Vanessa stood at the poolside, her gaze fixated on the lithe and wild figure in the water. She had fantasized before about what being with Theodore really meant. Wild, untamed, fierce - he would be a man of passion and raw masculine energy.


    A splash jolted Vanessa from her reverie.


    Theodore hauled himself up, rather surprised to see her, "Haven''t you gone to bed yet?"


    "Hmm, I saw you swimming from upstairs. Couldn''t sleep, so I thought I''d come down for a walk. Want some water?" Vanessa offered him a bottle of mineral water. Her cheeks blushed as her eyes briefly traced the water dripping off his body. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He glanced at the bottle, accepted it, but didn''t open it. Instead, he placed it on a nearby sun lounger and draped a bathrobe over his shoulders.

 Chapter 44

    "It''s late. We should get back," Theodore said.


    They walked back along the path, Vanessa sidling up close to him, creating an intimacy between them. "How are you settling in since you''ve been back?" Theodore inquired.


    "Yeah," Vanessa glanced sideways at him. The sparse moonlight draped over him, casting a silvery glow.


    "It''s just that since the day I fell into the water, I can''t sleep well at night, I''m constantly waking up from nightmares."


    Theodore commented, "That''s a normal reaction humans have after experiencing a traumatic event. If it gets worse, I suggest you see a therapist." Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "A therapist?" Vanessa gaped at him, incredulous. "I''m not that bad off. It might just be because my window faces the pool, and that keeps me up."


    "Theodore," Vanessa halted, prompting him to stop as well. She looked up at him, "I''m a bit scared. Can you wait until I fall asleep before you leave?" Theodore, expressionless, nodded in agreement.


    Vanessa could hardly contain her elation. Despite Phoebe''s vigilance, Theodore had still wandered into her room, and Vanessa couldn''t wait to see if Phoebe could maintain her facade the next day.


    In the dead of night, Theodore returned to his room. After a refreshing shower, he lingered by his bed before he wandered into the adjoining sitting room.


    In the darkness, Phoebe''s eyes slowly opened.


    The sounds from the sitting room ceased soon after, but Phoebe was certain Theodore hadn''t left the house.


    A heavy weight settled in her chest, and sleep eluded her for a long time. Eventually, she sat up, grabbed the tablet from her nightstand, and continued watching a reality show in the dark. The pale light illuminated her petite face, creating a mottled tapestry of shadows. She kept watching until dawn.


    After a night spent staring at the screen, Phoebe''s eyes were sore. Post-rinse, the mirror reflected her red-rimmed eyes, betraying a night of sleeplessness.


    She emerged with a fresh, light makeup that concealed her exhaustion. Passing through the sitting room, she noticed Theodore curled up on the couch, seemingly too tall for the space, his legs akimbo. Without lingering, she left the room.


    Just then, a door across the hall swung open, as if the person had been lying in wait just behind it. When Vanessa saw it was Phoebe, her face fleetingly fell, then quickly contorted into smugness.


    She toyed with the towel in her hand, her tone suggestive, "Theodore left his towel in my room last night. I came to return it."


    Phoebe recognized the familiar towel, indeed one of Theodore''s, and clenched her jaw before responding, "I''ll take it to him."


    As she reached out, Vanessa retracted the towel. "Miss Ziegler, aren''t you curious about what happened between Theodore and me in my room last night?"


    Phoebe''s expression remained unchanged. "No matter what you did, he ended up back with me, didn''t he?"


    Vanessa was momentarily choked up, only to hear Phoebe continue, "Miss Fitzroy, surely being born into a distinguished family you''d hesitate before chasing a married man. Wouldn''t you fear your ancestors turning in their graves for tarnishing the family reputation?"


    Vanessa''s face twisted in anger. "You!"


    Phoebe took a step closer. "I didn''t want to say it, but Miss Fitzroy, what''s the point of your provocations? The right to initiate a divorce has never been in my hands."

 Chapter 45

    Taking the towel from Vanessa, Phoebe turned and went back to the bedroom. Seeing Theodore asleep on the couch, she trembled with indignation. Theodore, must you humiliate me like this?


    If you prefer Vanessa, you could just ask me for a divorce. I would sign the papers without fuss and wish you two a happy life together.


    But why are you treating me like this?


    Phoebe''s eyes grew redder and redder as she gripped the towel, her grip tightening as if it were Theodore''s neck. With a sudden burst of anger, she threw the towel at his face. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Startled awake by the impact, Theodore sat up abruptly with a soft, eerie sensation on his skin. He quickly grabbed the object from his face and saw it was a towel. Confused, he glanced at the closed bedroom door, registering the sound of a heavy door closing just moments before.


    Downstairs, Phoebe was summoned into Mrs. Reynolds'' room the moment she descended the staircase.


    Brandon was out, and Mrs. Reynolds, dressed in her pajamas, sat in front of her vanity mirror applying cream to her face. She looked up as Phoebe entered, "How did you sleep last night?" "I slept okay," Phoebe replied.


    Mrs. Reynolds turned, noticing the lingering redness in Phoebe''s eyes, her brow furrowed with concern. "Was Theodore not with you last night?" Phoebe bit her lip and averted her gaze from Mrs. Reynolds, murmuring, "Yes, he was."


    Mrs. Reynolds didn''t press further. "Have you been taking your medication regularly? Your grandmother and I are eagerly waiting to spoil your kids." "Mom, I..." Phoebe wanted to come clean to Mrs. Reynolds about her infertility and to ask for her intervention in getting a divorce from Theodore. But she knew all too well the consequences of such impulsiveness-Theodore would never let her off easily.


    Mrs. Reynolds listened attentively, waiting.


    Phoebe swallowed hard and finally lowered her head, "It''s nothing, I''ve been taking the medication on time. I''ll try not to disappoint you." "Good," Mrs. Reynolds nodded. "Now go on, Lucy has prepared some soup for you. Have a bowl before you head to work."


    "Okay."


    As Phoebe turned to leave, she caught sight of Vanessa and Theodore descending the stairs side by side. She couldn''t catch what Vanessa was saying, but Theodore''s lips curled into a hint of a smile. Instinctively, Phoebe retreated into the room until they passed. She then left through the villa''s back door. It wasn''t that she was afraid of them; she just didn''t want to sour her entire day''s mood.


    Phoebe had booked a ride through a ride-hailing app earlier; when she stepped outside, she spotted a white Toyota parked out front. She slid into the car and headed to her office.


    Forty minutes later, the car pulled up in front of her company''s building. She paid through the app and stepped out of the vehicle. It was early, and there were hardly any people around.


    Having settled the ride fare, Phoebe was about to walk into the office building when she noticed a familiar black Mercedes parked nearby, its window half-down. In the back seat, she saw a couple entwined in an embrace, oblivious to the world around them.


    Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the car; it was undeniably Brandon''s, Theodore''s father. Sitting behind the wheel was indisputably Brandon himself.


    Her heart raced with anxiety. What do you do when you stumble upon your father-in-law''s affair?


    She was in an undeniably awkward position. Watching Brandon exit the car, she quickly hid behind a large column, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. Thankfully, Brandon didn''t see her.